Walker, Edwards Power United to 4–0 Start in Sydney

Melbourne United showed once again why they’re the NBL’s team to beat, brushing aside the Sydney Kings 107–93 at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday to remain unbeaten and claim their opening Ignite Cup victory.

Missing captain Chris Goulding (quad) and defensive general Shea Ili (hamstring), United hardly missed a beat. They dismantled Sydney with a ruthless third quarter, outscoring the hosts 31–19 to seize control of what had been an even contest to that point. By the final buzzer, Melbourne had claimed six of the seven Ignite Cup points on offer and cemented their place atop the NBL26 ladder at 4–0.

Tyson Walker led the charge. Nursing a sore thumb from the team’s NBLxNBA clash with the New Orleans Pelicans, the explosive import was unfazed, dropping 27 points on 5-of-9 shooting from deep to go with four rebounds and four assists. Centre Jesse Edwards produced his most dominant performance yet, bullying the Kings’ interior defence with 22 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

Milton Doyle added 16 points and six assists, Tanner Krebs chipped in 15, and teenage Next Star Dash Daniels impressed again with nine points and four boards while locking down Sydney’s top scorers. Finn Delany contributed eight points and nine rebounds in a performance that showcased United’s depth and system resilience.

Sydney’s big names couldn’t match the visitors’ efficiency. Kendric Davis top-scored with 21 points and 10-of-10 free-throw shooting, but was held to 5-of-18 from the field thanks to Daniels’ smothering defence. Xavier Cooks also finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds but endured another horror night at the foul line, missing his first eight and going 1-of-10 overall — his season total now 1-of-14.

Matthew Dellavedova faced his former team for the first time, contributing 12 points and seven assists, while Jaylin Galloway added 12 points and three steals with a perfect 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. But when Tim Soares (seven points, nine rebounds) and Dellavedova fouled out in the fourth, Sydney’s fightback hopes evaporated.

The opening half was a see-saw. Melbourne closed the first quarter on a 9–2 run to lead 29–25, extended the margin early in the second, but Sydney responded with a 10–0 burst to reclaim the edge. Dellavedova’s layup on the half-time buzzer put the Kings ahead 52–50, but that was as good as it got.

The third quarter belonged to Melbourne. Walker’s outside shooting and Edwards’ dominance inside turned the tide, while Doyle’s step-back three on the quarter-time buzzer gave United a 10-point buffer at 81–71. Sydney’s frustration grew as their shooting dried up and foul trouble mounted, capped by Dellavedova’s unsportsmanlike for lowering his shoulder into Walker.

Dean Vickerman’s side once again proved that their depth, discipline and defensive intensity travel. Even shorthanded, they looked every bit like a championship outfit — composed, clinical, and unrelenting.

The Kings, now 1–2, will travel to Adelaide next Saturday for a mouth-watering clash with Bryce Cotton’s 36ers, while United return home to John Cain Arena on Sunday to host Marcus Lee and the Cairns Taipans.

Final score: Melbourne United 107 defeated Sydney Kings 93.