Goorjian thrown out as Kings run over Wildcats

Shayne Hope | October 19, 2025

NBL coaching legend Brian Goorjian felt unfairly treated after he was sensationally ejected over a pair of technical fouls as his Sydney Kings secured a tough 94-72 win over the Perth Wildcats at Qudos Bank Arena.

Goorjian was given his marching orders on Sunday after a heated third-quarter exchange with a referee, who told the six-time championship coach: “You need to control your emotions here.”

The officials hit Goorjian with his first technical foul for jumping in frustration after a foul against his team, and another in quick succession for arguing the point.

Speaking post-game, a “shocked” Goorjian couldn’t recall being part of a similar incident in his four decades in the league.

“I’ve done a lot more than that and not got a technical,” Goorjian said.

“Usually as coaches we all know where to tread.”

The Kings led 69-61 at the time of Goorjian’s ejection, with 1:22 left in the third period.

Tension again boiled over moments later when Kings star Matthew Dellavedova was denied a charge call against Kristian Doolittle because referees said the clock hadn’t started with the play.

But Dellavedova landed a huge jump-shot to end the third period and the Kings broke clear in a tense finish, holding the Wildcats to just six points in the fourth quarter to balance their season ledger at 3-3.

Kendric Davis (25 points, five steals), Xavier Cooks (16 points, eight rebounds) and Dellavedova (15 points, four assists) were outstanding contributors.

Goorjian’s veteran assistant Bill Tomlinson was briefly handed the coaching reins before former star centre and fellow assistant Andrew Bogut took charge on the sidelines.

“It broke me down to come out of that game like that and sit in here with my daughter who’s trembling after the game was over,” Goorjian said.

“During the fourth quarter was really hard to swallow, but I’m proud of my coaching staff, proud of my team and the more important thing is Kouat (Noi’s) 150th game.”

Kings forward Noi backed his coach over the controversial incident.

“It just shows he’s got our back and he’s going to fight with us to the end,” Noi said.

“To go out there and get the win for him was huge. I couldn’t be more proud of the team.”

Wildcats coach John Rillie was also hit with a technical foul early in the final quarter of the fiery contest but quickly reined himself in.

He lost import Dylan Windler to an ankle injury before halftime, while star centre Jo Lual-Acuil and Lat Mayen fouled out late in the game.

Perth axed import Mason Jones mid-week and Jaron Rillie – the coach’s son – stepped up in the best performance of his young career.

Rillie had 16 points, with Lual-Acuil (17) and Doolittle (14) also effective.

Sydney trailed 22-15 at the end of the first period but dominated the second and built a 50-45 lead by halftime behind 16 points from Davis.

The margin blew out in the dying stages as the result became clear, with the Wildcats slipping to a 3-3 record.

“It’s been an emotional week for us,” Rillie said.

“You saw youth and experience, and in this league experience goes a long way.

“We talked about Davis and Delly and the physicality that they would come with and we just didn’t match that.”

Sydney enjoyed a 36-15 advantage in free-throws, including 17-0 in the decisive final period.

“That’s quite the disparity isn’t it?” Rillie said, opting not to elaborate.

Both teams have two games in round six, with Sydney facing South East Melbourne (Thursday, away) and Tasmania (Sunday, home).

Perth take on Cairns (Wednesday, away) and Illawarra (Saturday, home).