Game Preview: Hawks vs Kings | RD21 NBL26

One Last Stand: Defending the Sandpit and Spoiling the Party

Hawkheads, the curtain is coming down on the NBL26 home season, and there is no better way to sign off than against our oldest and fiercest rivals. This Friday night, we return to the WIN Entertainment Centre for our final home appearance wearing the Gold Championship Patch—a symbol of the glory we tasted just last year. While the "experts" will point to the ladder, anyone who has ever stepped foot in the Sandpit knows that when the Sydney Kings come to town, the records go out the window.

It has been a rollercoaster year that never quite found top gear. From a championship defense to battling through a gauntlet of injuries and roster shifts, this season has tested our resolve. But as any long-time Hawks fan knows, the beauty of this club isn't just in the banners we hang; it's in the journey between them—the highs, the lows, and the moments near extinction that make the triumphs so much sweeter.

In the regular season home finale last year we were celebrating a Minor Premiership and our sixth straight win over Sydney; this year, we’re out of the playoff hunt, but we have the ultimate motivation: shaking up the finals bracket and playing spoiler to the Kings.

Another hard fact in the world of professional sports is that of free agency. With multiple players out of contract next year, this might be your last chance to see some of your favorite Hawks in action at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Don't miss the chance to say thank you to the group that has worn the colors with pride.

The Matchup

• ‍Season Series: Sydney leads 3–0.‍
• Last Meeting: The Kings took a 122–104 victory at Qudos Bank Arena (Jan 29), despite Tyler Harvey dropping 25 points and Dan Grida sparking the second unit with 17 points.‍
• Adrian Hurley Cup: The Kings have officially reclaimed the Cup for NBL26, but the Hawks can prevent a series sweep with a win on Friday.

Scouting the Kings

• ‍Kendric Davis: The MVP frontrunner has been a thorn in our side all year, recently averaging a massive 24.0 PPG.‍
• Torrey Craig: The mid-season NBA addition has provided monstrous impact, bringing veteran poise and elite perimeter shooting (52.9% 3P) to their starting five.‍
• Xavier Cooks: The former league MVP is officially back in top form after a slower start to the season. The Illawarra junior is doing it all lately, averaging nearly 7 rebounds and 3 assists to go with his scoring punch.

Keys to Victory

• ‍The Grida Factor (150 Games): It’s a milestone night for the "Flying Mullet!" Dan Grida (Hawks ID 198) suits up for his 150th NBL game. After navigating a career plagued by more than his fair share of injury ordeals, Grida is in career-best form over the last month. His relentless motor and hustle are exactly what we need to disrupt Sydney's flow. He's also just the 16th Hawk to reach the 150-game mark and since his debut in 2018, Dan has had 60 teammates!‍
• Frontcourt Dominance: JaVale McGee (19.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG) and Sam Froling must control the glass. Sydney is a high-volume shooting team; we cannot afford to give them second-chance opportunities.‍
• Protect the Perimeter: The Kings are lethal from deep (averaging over 10 triples a game). Wani Swaka Lo Buluk will be tasked with locking down Sydney’s backcourt to keep the Sandpit quiet. Our bigs will also have to be ready to step out and contest after Kings import Tim Soares torched us from the outside a couple of weeks ago in Sydney, a trend we saw repeated by NZ's bigs last weekend. We cannot let their five-men stretch the floor and dictate the terms.

Game Details

• ‍Who: Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings‍
• When: Friday, Feb 13, 7:30 pm‍
• Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong‍
• Tickets: Get your tickets now at Ticketmaster!

This is our final home game of NBL26! Check our social media for highlights as we honor our 150-game hero, Dan Grida.

NBL27 Membership: Lock in your seats for NBL27 here!

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