Game Report: Hawks @ Phoenix | RD16 NBL26

Heart, Hustle, and a Harvey Milestone in State Basketball Centre Shootout

The Illawarra Hawks proved tonight they can stare down the NBL's best in the most hostile of environments, pushing the second-placed South East Melbourne Phoenix to the absolute limit in a double-digit lead-change thriller. In a raucous State Basketball Centre that felt more like a pressure cooker, Justin Tatum’s men fought through every whistle and run, eventually falling 124-113 in a high-intensity overtime period.

The game featured 56 lead changes, the most of any recorded game in NBL history.

The Hawks' interior duo of Sam Froling and JaVale McGee set the tone early, combining for 16 first-quarter points. Froling was unstoppable at the rim, and when Mason Peatling knocked down a triple late in the first, the Hawks surged ahead. A highlight-reel dish from McGee to a cutting Quentin Peterson (QJ) helped the Hawks claim a 25-23 lead at the first break, making it clear we came to play.

Froling continued his masterclass into the second term, moving to a perfect 6/6 from the field for the game to reach double figures early. While the Phoenix crowd found their voice during a 5-0 run that saw them take a halftime lead, the Hawks' efficiency inside kept us right in the hunt.

The second half was a heavyweight battle. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and QJ caught fire from deep, answering every Phoenix run with ice-cold buckets. Then came the moment of the night: captain Tyler Harvey pulled up and drained a signature triple—the 500th three-pointer of his legendary career. The milestone sparked a frantic fourth-quarter sequence where the lead swapped hands 20 times.

After a clutch Froling put-back and a crafty inbound play from William "Davo" Hickey that allowed QJ to tie the game at 106-106 with just 2.3 seconds left, we headed to overtime.

Unfortunately, the extra five minutes proved costly, as the Hawks 18 turnovers and Phoenix’s offensive rebounding came back to haunt and allowed the home team to secure the win and move into outright second on the NBL ladder.

The game ended in a fever pitch after Biwali Bayles was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul on Nathan Sobey, leading to a bench-clearing stand-off.

Opposition Watch

The Phoenix were led by a massive 37-point effort from captain Nathan Sobey, who took over in the overtime period. Illawarra juniior and former Hawk Angus Glover also had a night out, finishing with 22 points including several contested triples.

What's Next?

We are back at the Sandpit this Sunday!

The boys showed tonight that they are elite, and now we need the Illawarra faithful to bring the noise as we host the Breakers in a must win match to keep Finals hopes alive.

• Next Game: Hawks vs Breakers
• When: Sunday, 11 Jan, 2:30 pm
• Where: WIN Entertainment CentreTickets: Get your tickets now at Ticketmaster!

Don't forget to check our social media channels for more game highlights.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 (Boxscore)‍

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 124 (Sobey 37, Glover 22, Mitchell 16, Foxwell 15)
ILLAWARRA HAWKS 113 (Froling 22, Peterson 22, Harvey 19, McGee 17)

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