Analysis · Australian NBL, round 9, 2026/2027
Cole Anthony's 30 points carry Melbourne United past Sydney Kings
Anthony added 9 assists and 6 rebounds in 33 minutes as Melbourne won 105-95, with Josh Oduro scoring 27 off the bench.
PG, Melbourne · Melbourne 105-95 Sydney
Cole Anthony
Melbourne UnitedAustralian NBL
- Points
- 30
- Rebounds
- 6
- Assists
- 9
- Threes
- 3/8
- PIR
- 29
Source: TeamKeys, 2026-10-25
Cole Anthony's 30 points decide Melbourne v Sydney
Cole Anthony scored 30 points, with 9 assists and 6 rebounds, as Melbourne United beat Sydney Kings 105-95 in round 9. He was the game's leading scorer and its central playmaker across 33 minutes.
The line stood well above his 2026/2027 averages of 23.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists over 9 games. It also fits his standing this season: at 97.3, he ranks fourth of 64 rated players in the league by TeamKeys Rating.
His PIR of 29 was the best of the night, ahead of Torrey Craig's 26 for Sydney. Anthony also chipped in 2 blocks and a steal, so his impact reached beyond the scoring column.
TeamKeys Rating components, from 0 to 100, Cole Anthony
League median
How did Cole Anthony build his 30 points?
Anthony built his 30 points from all three areas: 7/14 on two-pointers, 3/8 from three and 7/9 at the free-throw line. That spread made him hard to guard with a single plan.
Getting to the line nine times gave Melbourne steady points when possessions stalled. His work inside the arc did the heavy lifting, while the three made threes kept defenders stepping out to him.
The most telling number may be his ball security. Anthony committed just 1 turnover against 9 assists, running the offence for 33 minutes without giving Sydney easy chances in transition.
| Stat | This game | Season average |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 30 | 23.8 |
| Rebounds | 6 | 4.4 |
| Assists | 9 | 4.2 |
How Melbourne pulled clear of Sydney in the third quarter
Melbourne won each of the first three quarters, and the 21-13 third period opened the gap that settled the game. Sydney took the fourth 31-28, but the 10-point margin held.
The opening was close, with Melbourne edging the first quarter 32-31 and the second 24-20. Josh Oduro then gave Anthony real support off the bench, scoring 27 points on 9/14 two-pointers and 6/6 free throws without a turnover.
Oduro's total sat above his 18.9 average, and he ranks seventh in the league by TeamKeys Rating. Luke Travers added 19, while Sydney leaned on Torrey Craig's 22 points and 13 rebounds, Andrew Carr's 18 and 11, and Xavier Cooks' 14, 10 and 6.
| Player | Points | PIR |
|---|---|---|
| Cole Anthony (Melbourne) | 30 | 29 |
| Torrey Craig (Sydney) | 22 | 26 |
| Josh Oduro (Melbourne) | 27 | 25 |
| Xavier Cooks (Sydney) | 14 | 24 |
| Andrew Carr (Sydney) | 18 | 20 |
| Luke Travers (Melbourne) | 19 | 12 |
What the result means for Melbourne and Sydney in the NBL table
The win lifts Melbourne United to 4-5, seventh of 10, while Sydney Kings stay third at 5-3. Melbourne's recent form now reads W, W, L, L, W.
Melbourne next meet Cairns Taipans on 31 October, with Cairns fourth at 5-4. Another win there would pull Anthony's side closer to the group chasing leaders Tasmania, who sit 6-2.
Sydney turn quickly to a game against second-placed Perth Wildcats, 5-2, on 28 October. Their form of L, L, W, W, L shows a side still searching for consistency.
All figures come from the official box score of round 9 of the 2026/2027 Australian NBL regular season, played on 25 October 2026.
Questions people ask
Who scored the most points in Melbourne United v Sydney Kings?
Cole Anthony led all scorers with 30 points in Melbourne United's 105-95 win over Sydney Kings. He shot 7/14 on two-pointers, 3/8 from three and 7/9 from the line, adding 9 assists and 6 rebounds in 33 minutes.
How does Cole Anthony's game compare with his season average?
Anthony's 30 points sat well above his 2026/2027 average of 23.8 across 9 games. His 9 assists and 6 rebounds also topped his averages of 4.2 and 4.4. He ranks fourth of 64 rated players in the league by TeamKeys Rating, at 97.3.
When do Melbourne United and Sydney Kings play next?
Sydney Kings, third at 5-3, face second-placed Perth Wildcats on 28 October 2026. Melbourne United, seventh at 4-5 after beating Sydney 105-95, meet Cairns Taipans, fourth at 5-4, on 31 October 2026.
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