Kings’ huge grand final injury blow to NBL’s best

The Sydney Kings’ superstar limped from the court after appearing to hurt his hamstring early in the fourth quarter of the Kings’ game one win over Tasmania.

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The Kings led the game by 15 when Adams, who had poured in 18 points in 22 minutes, pulled up lame and the JackJumpers immediately went on a 7-0 run.

The 26-year-old, who celebrated a birthday during the week, playing in front of his family and girlfriend who had flown in on Friday to be part of the 12,765 on Friday night, was seen significantly limping back to the bench applying ice to that hamstring.

“I followed him down the race, and he’s in some serious pain,” Kings legend Shane Heal said on the NBL broadcast.

“I would be shocked if he takes the court in game two, if there is any risk whatsoever.”

Adams was seen at game’s end with ice on his left hamstring.

The Kings withstood the signature defensive pressure of the JackJumpers to clinch a crucial one game advantage in the best of five series, 95-78.

Adams left the court with the Kings leading 73-58, and went without their star, who averaged 29.5 points in Sydney’s semi-final series win, for the rest of the game.

Chase Buford’s men enjoyed the better of the second half, after some scrappy errors in the first, but the coach looks likely to head to Hobart for Sunday’s game two without Adams.

It’s understood the hamstring was the same one Adams had been suffering cramps in throughout the season.

The fairytale is far from over competition newcomers the JackJumpers in their inaugural season, with two home games to come at a jam-packed MyState Bank Arena.

Tassie will need at least one win away at Qudos Bank Arena — the only stadium where they haven’t tasted victory in NBL22 — to clinch an unthinkable championship.

KINGS WITHSTAND STOUSH

The “rugby” match that Buford said he wanted to avoid during the week was how the match turned out in the first half as Tasmania’s modus operandi prevented the free-flowing Sydney style, with a number of “sloppy turnovers” per ESPN’s Andrew Gaze, and first half lead of three to Sydney.

Adams felt that pressure most with four turnovers in the first term, but he and Ian Clark gradually clawed the upper hand in a typical JackJumpers’ grind.

With the encouragement of NBA-champion teammate Steph Curry ringing in his ears, former Golden State Warrior Ian Clark stepped up in another championship match sinking 17 including three threes.

Adams and Clark were among several double-figure points scorers’ but no one on either side could break 20. Xavier Cooks posted his 17rth season double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds.

Monday’s game winner for Tasmania against Melbourne United to snatch game three of that semi-finals series, Josh Adams with 30 points, could only manage 13.

GAME ONE CRUCIAL

Historically, Sydney’s win took on extra significance for the outcome of the Grand Finals series, with 23 of the past 24 Grand Final series won by the team winning the opening game.

The only exception to that rule was the 2008 best-of-five series with the Kings beating the Tigers by 21 points at home in game one but losing the series 2-3.

Sydney countered that on Friday night posting their 17th win in their last 19 including 13 in a row.

NBA ROYALTY IN THE HOUSE

NBA royalty was in attendance to watch his son guide the Kings to a one-nil series with RC Buford making the trip to watch from the US.

The legendary NBA figure of San Antonio fame – winning five championships with the Spurs and four as General Manager – there along with Jaylen Adams’ family to cheer on his son.

“I’m just Dad of Chase, that’s all I am on this trip,” the great man said. “We haven’t slept very often, but we’ve seen every game that the Kings have played. It’s been really impressive the way the NBL is presented.”

“Highly competitive game, very physical, just what you’d expect,” RC Buford said, interviewed courtside.

They joined Australian basketball legend Luc Longley and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in the crowd cheering on the home side.

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