Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Fraser Barton

Kings edge Bullets in chaotic NBL finish

Jarell Martin's buzzer-beating layup has given Sydney a thrilling 71-69 NBL win over Brisbane. (AAP)

Sydney have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a 71-69 over Brisbane, thanks to Jarell Martin's buzzer-beating layup.

Brisbane (5-8) looked primed to win their first game in Sydney since December 2017 when they were up two points and with the ball in possession with 17 seconds remaining.

But Tanner Krebs fumbled the inbound pass, giving the Kings two attempts to win or tie.

Following Jaylen Adams' erratic layup attempt, Sydney (8-7) maintained possession with the guard then exploding for an enormous dunk over two defenders.

Adams was fouled in the process but he missed the free throw with 3.2 seconds on the clock.

In the most important time of the contest, Brisbane couldn't corral the rebound, which eventually found Adams who dished inside to Martin for a layup as the final buzzer sounded.

Adams' late game heroics put aside his struggles throughout Sunday's matchup, as the American import shot 5-19 from the field to finish with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.

But it was Sydney's bigs who dominated at Qudos Bank Arena as Martin capped off a terrific game with 17 points and nine rebounds while Xavier Cooks registered an NBL leading eighth double-double with 15 points and 13 boards.

"I told the guys coming in the locker room, I dont have enough hair for finishes like that," Kings coach Chase Buford joked after the win.

"Just our intensity to make a play on the defensive end to get a stop to give us a chance ... but this man next to me (Adams) pulls down a huge offensive rebound to give us another possession.

"Having the presence of mind to see Jarell in that situation. Just an unbelievable finish to a really ugly basketball game."

Brisbane coach James Duncan said although the loss was tough there were clear improvements from his side who were playing their second game in three days.

"The build up from this week of practice and the commitment and what we did Friday night, and what we did this game - we're starting to go in the right direction," said Duncan.

"It's a tough loss. But there's a lot of positive signs.

"There's certain things where maybe we're questioning ourselves, but I can't fault the effort.

"That's what we've been talking about since the beginning of the season until now."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.