The Championship Series matchup is set: Sydney will face Adelaide in a highly anticipated battle for the NBL title. The series features compelling head-to-head contests, including Kendric Davis versus Bryce Cotton, Xavier Cooks versus Dejan Vasiljevic, and a coaching clash between Brian Goorjian and Mike Wells.
This season’s finale promises a thrilling showdown, and former two-time MVP Chris Anstey is already buzzing with excitement.
“This is the one [matchup] that, in our heart of hearts, I think most people wanted,” Anstey said on Thursday’s episode of NBL Now.
“I want the two best players in the league going at it. I want the rivalry that’s been created this year. I can’t wait, two more sleeps.
“There’s a mutual level of respect that they’re both top of the tree, and they want to knock each other off.
“They’ll probably conclude up being tied. They’ve got so much in common, and the rivalry is real.”
Much of the anticipation centers around the MVP conversation between Cotton and Davis, with Cotton narrowly edging out Davis for the award this year by just two votes. Whereas Davis’ teammate, Xavier Cooks, recently declared the Kings’ American guard “the best player in the league,” Anstey believes Cotton will be the deciding factor in the series.
“Bryce Cotton’s a leader of that club, regardless of who the head coach is, and I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way,” he said.
“But his teammates head, Bryce Cotton will win or lose this championship for Adelaide.”
Despite the competitive balance, Anstey is predicting a decisive outcome, forecasting a sweep in the 2025-26 series.
“Nobody hands out championships, and we have the best two teams in the competition playing a five-game series,” he said.
“Sydney has home court advantage. Game one will be huge.
“I never ever want to predict a sweep, but I think Sydney might sweep Adelaide.”
The Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Championship Series between Sydney and Adelaide tips off at Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday at 7pm AEDT, live on ESPN and 10 Drama. Fans can identify the full schedule, ticket information, and viewing options here.
