NBL grand final 2022: Scores, reports and news out of game one of Sydney Kings v Tasmania JackJumpers series

Sydney Kings have announced when they expect MVP Jaylen Adams to be back on court after he sent a huge scare through their camp with an injury in Game 1.

NBL MVP Jaylen Adams was injured in the Kings’ game-one grand final win. Picture: Getty Images

The Sydney Kings’ championship hopes have received a boost with MVP-winning guard Jaylen Adams only suffering a minor hamstring strain, opening the door for a return later in the series.

However, Adams has been ruled of Sunday’s Game 2 grand final game against Tasmania.

Despite the setback, club officials remain hopeful the gun guard could play in Game 3 in Sydney on Wednesday.

The former Milwaukee Buck underwent scans in Sydney to determine the full extent of the injury sustained in the Kings’ win over the JackJumpers in game one of the best-of-five series at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday night.

The test results and injury will be re-evaluated on Sunday and Monday and it’s hoped Adams may be available.

“Once we have the test results back we will be in a better position to make a determination on the extent of Jaylen’s injury,” Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said.

“The best news for us would be getting Jaylen back for game three and until we know any differently we will treat Jaylen’s injury as a day-to-day proposition.”

Jaylin Galloway will replace Adams in the line-up, although you can expect the likes of Ian Clark and Dejan Vasiljevic to take on bigger roles in their MVP’s absence.

Adams limped off late in the third quarter during the Kings’ opening grand final win over the JackJumpers at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday.

Jaylen Adams could be back by game 3 in a huge boost for the Kings.

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 from the US on Friday to be part of the 12,765, 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.

Sydney found a way to win the opening game despite giving up 16 turnovers.

Kings coach Chase Buford urged his side to improve.

“We had to do a better job taking care of the ball, a better job keeping them off the boards and then just a better job guarding them,” Buford said.

“Too often in the first half we were a little soft with our coverages and obviously they shoot a lot of threes, and we probably let them get some easier looks even though some of it was great execution by them.

“There was a point earlier in the game where we were just turning it over, they were getting extra shots and were banging in the threes.

“It’s hard to win games when you’re giving your opponent 15 extra field goals, but we cleaned that up a little bit and the defensive energy in the second half, especially the third quarter, was great.

“We did a better job shrinking the floor, protecting the paint and getting some steals. It was just a tough victory in a tough, physical game and I’m proud of my guys for getting it done in the second half.”

KINGS WITHSTAND STOUSH

The “rugby” match Buford said he wanted to avoid during the week was how the game turned out in the first half as Tasmania’s modus operandi prevented the free-flowing Sydney style, with a number of sloppy turnovers, 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 big match, sinking 17 including three threes.

Ian Clark sparked the Kings’ offence. Picture: Getty Images

“Hard to think about back then, I’m more focused on the game plan now on what we need to do to beat the team in the other locker room,” said Clark speaking of his previous NBA Finals experience. “Just trying to do what I can when I come off the bench.

“We got a little rattled in the first half, one-on-one, being able to make the adjustment in the second half, I think we did that.”

Adams and Clark were among several double-figure points scorers’ but no one on either side could break 20. Xavier Cooks posted his 17th 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, American Josh Adams with 30 points, could only manage 13.

“It’s just one game, whether they would have won by one or won by 50, it is just one game,” was Scott Roth’s message to the JackJumpers relayed post-match. “We’ve got 36 hours to flip the script.”

“We have beaten them once (in four meetings this season) … we just need to be able to string things out a little longer and be more persistent to be a chance to win on Sunday.

“The State has rallied around these guys and it should be electric in that building.”

Kings big man Xavier Cooks dominated the JackJumpers. Picture: Getty Images

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 Melbourne 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.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet watched the Kings beat the JackJumpers. Picture: Getty Images

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 Sydney’s biggest home crowd for a Grand Final fixture.

Originally published as NBL grand final 2022: Scores, reports and news out of game one of Sydney Kings v Tasmania JackJumpers series