BASKETBALL
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There was nothing pretty about it, but the Hawks never stopped fighting for each other in Saturday's comeback win over Sydney.
Wollongong were behind at every change before finishing over the top of the Kings in the final quarter and securing an 82-77 victory.
Sydney star Josh Childress, who dominated with 34 points and 12 rebounds, felt his side took the Hawks too lightly.
"You can't allow a team to hang around. You have to go out and try and put the pedal to the metal and bury a team," he said.
"We allowed them to make big shot after big shot. We played like we were too cool at a lot of points in that game and it came back to bite us on the butt."
The Kings aim to bounce back in Thursday's home game against Perth and Sunday's road clash with Melbourne.
"This is a very unfortunate loss for us because we had some good momentum, but we can't allow it to affect us moving forward," Childress said.
"We have to take it in stride and come back ready next week."
Kings coach Damian Cotter said his side performed below par against the Hawks.
"Our fans will be disappointed with the way we finished the game, but you do your work early and you get what you deserve," Cotter said.
"We didn't defend well, not how we need to. We just weren't ready. I agree with Josh totally.
"We didn't come ready to play and Wollongong did a good job."