The Path to Glory: How the NBL26 Finals Work for the Sydney Kings
News aggregator /SYDNEY — February 24, 2026
With the regular season officially in the books, the Sydney Kings sit atop the mountain as minor premiers. But while their 24–9 record has earned them the “gold pass” to the post-season, the real battle is just beginning.
The NBL’s Play-In format—now a staple of the league’s championship structure—means the Kings have earned a well-deserved week of rest while their rivals fight for survival. Here is how the next few weeks will unfold and what the road to the trophy looks like for the Kings.
Step 1: The Play-In Gauntlet (March 4 – March 7)
Because the Kings finished in the Top 2, they bypass the sudden-death Play-In Tournament entirely. While they rest and recover, four other teams will battle to decide who earns the right to face them.
-
The Seeding Qualifier (March 4): #3 SE Melbourne Phoenix vs #4 Perth Wildcats. The winner of this goes straight to a Semi-Final against the #2 Adelaide 36ers.
-
The Play-In Qualifier (March 5): #5 Melbourne United vs #6 Tasmania JackJumpers. This is a “do-or-die” game; the loser is eliminated immediately.
-
The Play-In Game (March 7): The loser of the Seeding Qualifier plays the winner of the Play-In Qualifier.
The Outcome for Sydney: The winner of that final Play-In Game on March 7 will officially become the Kings’ Semi-Final opponent.
Step 2: The Semi-Finals (Best-of-Three)
Once the Play-In winner is decided, the Kings will enter a best-of-three series. As the #1 seed, Sydney holds the crucial home-court advantage.
-
Game 1: At Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney)
-
Game 2: Away (Venue TBC based on opponent)
-
Game 3 (If required): Back at Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney)
This series determines who moves on to the Grand Final. The Kings’ depth—anchored by MVP candidate Kendric Davis and veteran Shaun Bruce—will be put to the test in this high-stakes, short-series format.
Step 3: The Championship Series (Best-of-Five)
If the Kings advance, they will play a best-of-five series for the NBL26 Championship trophy. Again, as the minor premiers, they would host Games 1, 3, and 5 (if necessary) in Sydney.
| Stage | Format | Kings’ Status |
| Play-In | Single Elimination | BYE (Automatic Entry to Semis) |
| Semi-Finals | Best-of-Three | Home Court Advantage |
| Grand Final | Best-of-Five | Home Court Advantage |
What’s the Current Vibe in the Kings Camp?
The week off comes at a perfect time. The primary focus for Brian Goorjian and the medical staff is Tyler Robertson, who suffered a shoulder injury in the final regular-season game. This break allows him—and the rest of the roster—to freshen up after the grueling 11-game winning streak that closed out their season.
The Kings are now essentially “scouting” four potential opponents. Whether it’s a cross-town rivalry with Melbourne United or a battle against the high-flying Wildcats, the road to the championship officially runs through Sydney.
Would you like me to alert you as soon as the Kings’ specific Semi-Final opponent and tip-off times are confirmed on March 7?
