Game Report: Hawks vs JackJumpers | RD15 NBL26

Hawks Ignite the Sandpit, Burn Bright on New Year’s Eve

The Wollongong sky might have stayed dark after the Wollongong City Council were forced to cancel the iconic 9pm Fireworks due to inclement weather, but there was more than enough electricity inside the WIN Entertainment Centre. Our Illawarra Hawks provided their own pyrotechnics on the court, securing a massive 92-90 victory over the Tasmania JackJumpers.

In a physical, high-stakes encounter where teams literally came to blows in the first half, the Hawks proved they have plenty of fight left for the NBL26 season. Head Coach Justin Tatum shook up the starting five, handing Biwali Bayles his first career start in his 64th NBL game. Bayles was a spark plug from the jump, providing the defensive tenacity and energy that set the tone for a dominant first half where the Hawks built a lead as large as 12 points.

After just two game the frontcourt duo of JaVale McGee and Sam Froling looks to be the most intimidating pairing in the league. The two combined early in the second quarter for a spectacular McGee alley-oop that brought the home crowd to their feet. Froling was immense, racking up 16-point, 10-rebound double-double, while JaVale swatted away 6 blocks to anchor the defense to go with 16-points and 6-rebounds.

Off the bench, the captain Tyler Harvey made a welcome return from injury, knocking down four triples to finish with 15 points. Despite a 10-0 run from Tasmania to start the second half, the Hawks refused to buckle.

The ending was pure theatre. With just three seconds left and the Jackies trailing by two, William "Davo" Hickey—playing his 100th game for the club—cemented his legendary status with a game-saving block on a David Johnson three-point attempt. While Tasmania managed a put-back layup, the siren had already sounded, sending the Hawks fans into a New Year’s frenzy.

The victory is a massive boost for the club's playoff aspirations as the Hawks move to a 7-13 record, keeping the pressure on the mid-pack. Meanwhile, the JackJumpers fall to 10-13, narrowing the gap between the two sides as the race for the post-season heats up. With Wani Swaka Lo Buluk celebrating his 200th NBL game with a win and Davo Hickey marking his 100th Hawks appearance with that heroic final block, it was a night where milestone magic met gritty determination.

This win gives the Wollongong faithful plenty of hope and something real to celebrate as we head into the new year.

Opposition Watch

The JackJumpers were led by a gritty performance from Josh Bannon, who finished with a game-high 25 points, while Tyger Campbell kept them in the contest late with 18 points and 3 assists.

What’s Next?

We aren't done yet! The Hawks are back at the Sandpit this Saturday, Jan 3rd to take on the Cairns Taipans. Let's keep this momentum rolling into 2026!

🎟️ Get your tickets now via Ticketmaster!

Be sure to check our social media channels for more game highlights and photos!

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26
ILLAWARRA HAWKS 92 (Froling 16, McGee 16, Harvey 15)
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 90 (Bannon 25, Campbell 18, Johnson 16)

‍