Game Report: Hawks @ United | RD21 NBL26

Hawks Play Spoiler in Melbourne, Dent United’s Title Ambitions

The curtain is coming down on the NBL26 season, but the storytelling is far from over. The Hawks packed their bags for a final road trip with one mission in mind: play spoiler against United and JackJumpers. We started the trip in style this Sunday, clinical in a 100-91 (boxscore) dismantling of Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.

The Hawkheads watching from home (and the handful in the stadium) saw a team playing with the freedom and flair of champions. Despite the home side jumping out to an early 9-point lead behind a 6/8 shooting start, the Hawks refused to blink. A late first-quarter surge, punctuated by a clutch QJ Peterson JR triple on the siren, snatched a 5-point lead and all the momentum heading into the first break.

JaVale’s Historic Afternoon

If there were any doubts about JaVale McGee’s impact, he silenced them today by becoming the oldest player in NBL history to record at least 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a game. He wasn't just a force in the paint; the 7-foot point guard frequently brought the ball up the floor, even spinning through the key for a tough floater to push the lead to 66-48.

The lead swelled as high as 18 points, fueled by the energy of Johny Narkle—who stripped United and nailed a baseline jumper—and the veteran presence of Todd Blanchfield. Blanchfield was a statistical standout, finishing with a team-high +24 plus/minus during his 22 minutes on the floor.

Weathering the Storm

United attempted a desperate 5-0 run early in the fourth, but Justin Tatum called a timely timeout. The Hawks responded with a decisive 8-0 run, with Wani Swaka Lo Buluk nailing a massive triple and a baseline floater to keep the home side at arm's length.

The end of the game featured a missed call on William "Davo" Hickey that left the Hawks, commentators and fans alike incredulous, it was followed by an immediate technical foul on Hickey for questionning the officials. Nevertheless, the Hawks stayed focused to secure the victory.

Statistical Leaders

The Hawks dominated the interior with 44 points in the paint and received a massive lift from the bench, outscoring United’s reserves 51-37.

• ‍JaVale McGee: 22 pts, 13 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk‍
• Tyler Harvey: 18 pts, 5 reb‍
• William Hickey: 13 pts, 3 stl‍
• Wani Swaka Lo Buluk: 11 pts

For the opposition, Tyson Walker led with 30 points, while Milton Doyle contributed 21 points.

Poetic Irony: The Final Stand

There is a poetic irony in this final stretch. These three teams share a jagged history; it was our Hawks who broke United’s hearts in five games to claim the NBL25 throne, just a year after the JackJumpers did the exact same thing in NBL24. Both Hawks and the "Jackies" snatched those titles with iconic moments that United fans still see in their nightmares—from Jack McVeigh’s miracle half-court winner in NBL24 to Tyler Harvey’s legendary Game 2 game-winner right here at John Cain Arena during last year's Finals.

But the NBL is a cruel beast—just as Tasmania missed the playoffs the year after their triumph, our Hawks find themselves in the same boat this season. Meanwhile, by securing the win today, we have effectively forced United into a sudden-death play-in duel likely against those very same Tasmania JackJumpers.

We head across the water to Hobart for our final game of the season against the JackJumpers this coming Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 pm. It’s one last chance to play spoiler against a team fighting for their playoff lives.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 100 (McGee 22, Harvey 18, Hickey 13)‍

MELBOURNE UNITED 91 (Walker 30, Doyle 21, Edwards 13)