NBL Grand Final Series to End Immediately, With No Winner Decided (Yet)

The Perth Wildcats lead the Sydney Kings two games to one.

The shot clock has run out on the NBL Grand Final series between the Sydney Kings and the Perth Wildcats.

Today, the NBL announced that Game Four of the best-of-five series would not take place this Friday, with Sydney Kings management indicating they didn’t wish to proceed given the "global uncertainty and effects around COVID-19".

Games two and three were conducted in empty arenas, across both Perth and Sydney, following government advice against mass gatherings of more than 500 people.

The Kings would have flown to Perth for Game Four tomorrow.

Read More:

Perth Wildcats Are One of the World’s Winningest Teams, So Why Are They Always the Underdog?

Though the Wildcats are up 2 – 1 in the series, and would have only needed one more win to clinch their 10th championship, NBL Owner and Executive Chariman Larry Kestelman says "a decision on the outcome of the championship" would still need to be decided upon in the next 48 hours.

"We acknowledge both teams for what has been a fantastic series and season," he added.

"Sydney was the only team to have gone through an entire NBL season on top of the ladder and Perth was leading the Grand Final series."

.@SydneyKings owner Paul Smith says the decision was made by the Kings with no pressure from the @NBL.

Will Weaver on who wins #NBL20
"Not to be flippant but it couldn't matter less to us in the scheme of things."

A open and frank presser.@FOXSportsNews @FoxBasketball

— Josh Garlepp (@JoshGarlepp) March 17, 2020

The question now remains: Who, if anyone, will get the trophy?

Sydney topped the table for the entirety of the NBL season, but thus far, the Wildcats have outclassed them in the all-important finals series.

That’s a tough one. I don’t want to be in the shoes of the people deciding the outcome...

Gotta keep players, coaches, staff & friends + fam safe. This is unprecedented. It’s bigger than bball

It’s been a hell of a season #NBL20 crazy ending but thanks to all for a great one https://t.co/M4mvdjfrGn

— L-FRESH The LION #WETHEKINGS (@LFRESHTHELION) March 17, 2020

Surely can't be Sydney. It's either the Wildcats, or joint winners/no winner.
Think it should be Perth though, 2-1 up in the series with two away wins. #NBL20 https://t.co/0EJCr80lHQ

— Akash Fotedar (@akashfotedar5) March 17, 2020

This isn't black and white. I feel like a lot of things can be true.

- The Kings made the correct, responsible decision.
- The NBL should have better
protected its teams.
- Wildcats should probably be awarded the title, by nature of a team pulling out of a GF they were leading.

— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) March 17, 2020

It seems everything is on the table for the NBL, but for the first time in basketball history, a championship will be decided off the court.

Update: The Perth Wildcats issued a statement this afternoon, with CEO Troy Georgiu saying, "Words can't express how disappointed we are as a club."

"The League put forward a range of options to complete this series ahead of the scheduled dates. This included reducing the Grand Final to a three-game series, or playing Game Four on Wednesday instead of Friday. Chartered flights were also discussed. It’s our understanding the Kings turned down these options.

"While the club takes seriously the importance of player and community welfare, we believe there was a safe and reasonable way for the 2020 NBL Finals to have reached a resolution.

"I feel terrible for our thousands of loyal and passionate members and fans, and we are sorry that the season has ended on such an abrupt note. Unfortunately, the decision was taken out of our hands."

Coach Trevor Gleeson added, "We worked hard for this moment, earned this moment, and to have the opportunity torn away from us is really disappointing."

"We were the best team throughout the Grand Final series."

Header Image: Paul Kane via Getty Images