Basketball
7 April, 2026
Bruce, Kings win NBL championship
Horsham’s Shaun Bruce claimed his third National Basketball League championship after the Sydney Kings defeated the Adelaide 36ers in a blockbuster 2026 finals series.
Adelaide forced a fifth game decider after tying the series 2-2 with a nailbiting 91-89 win in game four at Adelaide. played out the fifth game decider at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, April 5.
At Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, April 5, little separated the two teams throughout the game, with a crucial tip-in from Sydney centre Tim Soares tying scores at 95-95 just before the end of regulation to force overtime.
The Kings then dominated the extra period, ultimately winning 113-101, with Bruce coming on the court in the final minute of play.
It was a deserved title for the Kings, who finished the regular season on top of the ladder.
Point guard Kendric Davis was named the NBL26 Championship Series MVP after averaging 27.2 points per game and 10.4 assists per game across the series.
A key rotation player in his seven seasons to date with the Kings, Bruce was also part of the2022 and 2023 championship teams.
Across the 2025-26 season, Bruce played 30 games and averaged 8.6 minutes per game, 2.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists to just 0.1 turnovers.
Earlier in the season, Bruce played his 350th NBL game, having started his career in 2012 with the Cairns Taipans.
Bruce is currently uncontracted for the 2026-27 season.