Game Report: Hawks @ JackJumpers | RD22 NBL26

The Spoiler Tour Finishes with a Statement: Hawks Silence Hobart in Record-Breaking Fashion

The Illawarra Hawks have closed the book on NBL26, and while the "what could have been" lingers—finishing just one win shy of the postseason—the final chapter was a masterpiece. In a clinical 103–70 (Boxscore) dismantling of the Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena, as the Hawks endied the season with back-to-back statement wins over playoff-bound teams.

Despite a frustrating three-hour flight delay from Melbourne yesterday, the Hawks showed no signs of jet lag. Tyler Harvey and QJ Peterson JR came out with flamethrowers, while the defense held the JackJumpers to a dismal 12.5% from beyond the arc.

First Half: The Harvey and QJ Show

The Hawks established dominance early. After a Harvey triple made it 10–6, QJ began a personal assault on the scoreboard, including a long baseline two and a massive three to push the lead to 21–10. Johny Narkle provided an immediate spark off the bench with a tough driving layup to keep the momentum swinging.

By the second quarter, the lead started to balloon. The Hawks were locked in from deep, going 7/15 from range midway through the term. When Tasmania tried to claw back, Justin Tatum called a strategic timeout at 43–31 to settle the troops. The response was emphatic: a JaVale McGee steal followed by a solo full-court sprint and a statement dunk that put the Hawks up 53–31. McGee wasn't done, erasing a Josh Bannan dunk attempt just 20 seconds later to send the Hawks into the locker room with a commanding 54–34 lead.

Second Half: Record-Breaking Dominance

The second half was a procession. Mason Peatling provided the exclamation point on the third quarter, drilling a baseline three as the buzzer sounded to put the Hawks up by 30 points.

The lead eventually stretched to as many as 40 points in the final frame. The playoff bound JackJumpers had no answers for the Hawks' defensive pressure and clinical execution. The 33-point margin officially entered the history books as the JackJumpers' biggest-ever defeat at home and just short of the largest loss in their franchise history (36).

Statistical Standouts

• JaVale McGee: Finished a dominant season with his 19th double-double (15 pts, 10 reb), leading the NBL in that category for NBL26.
• Tyler Harvey: Led all scorers with 21 points, including 6-of-10 from downtown.
• Quentin Peterson JR: Was electric with 20 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
• Sam Froling: Controlled the glass and the paint with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

For the JackJumpers, Josh Bannan and Tyger Campbell both finished with 17 points, but they were the only real resistance against a clinical Hawks defensive unit.

What’s Next for the Hawks?

The attention of the club now shifts from the hardwood to the gala floor. This Friday night, the Hawkheads community will gather for the annual Hawks MVP Dinner to celebrate the individual brilliance and collective grit shown throughout this campaign.

The front office won't be resting for long. Planning for the NBL27 roster begins immediately. While several key pieces are currently out of contract, the foundation is undeniably strong. With a solid core intact and a winning culture established under Coach Justin Tatum, the mission is clear: refine the squad, retain our stars, and ensure that next season, we aren't just one win shy of the promised land.

Thank you for riding with us all season long. We can't wait to see you back at the WIN Entertainment Centre in late 2026.

Keep an eye on our social media for all the glitz and glamour from the MVP Dinner and off-season signing news!

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‍Hungry Jack's NBL Season 2025/26 Finale
ILLAWARRA HAWKS 103 (Harvey 21, Peterson JR 20, McGee 15, Froling 11)
‍TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 70 (Bannan 17, Harrison 12, Deng 11)