Game Report: Hawks vs Kings | Rd9 NBL26

In front of a sellout crowd on a steamy Sunday afternoon in Wollongong, the Illawarra Hawks fell to the Sydney Kings 98–71 in Round 9 of the NBL26 season, as Sydney claimed their first win over the Hawks in the Justin Tatum era and took a 1–0 lead in the 2025/26 Adrian Hurley Cup series.

While the result didn’t go the way of the reigning champions, it was a day to celebrate two massive individual milestones, with Todd Blanchfield suiting up for his 450th NBL game, and Will “Davo” Hickey playing his 100th.

History for Blanchfield & Hickey

Blanchfield, now just the 32nd player in NBL history to reach 450 games, was applauded by the Hawks faithful before tip-off. His appearance was also his 123rd for Illawarra, moving him to 20th all-time in club history, passing Peter Rowsell and Kevin White.

Hickey’s 100th NBL game also marked his 83rd for the Hawks, moving him into 44th all-time — a rapid rise for a player who’s become the heartbeat of the team.

Other key career markers include:

• Sam Froling (183 games – 12th all-time)
• Tyler Harvey (172 – 14th)
• Daniel Grida (131 – 19th)
• Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (106 – now top 30, passing Adam Caporn)

First Half Struggles Prove Costly

It was a grinding start to the game, with the sides locked at 4-4 after five minutes. A trademark JaVale McGee dunk got the crowd going, but it would be one of few highlights in a tough opening stanza.

The Kings took a slim 18–14 lead into the second quarter and never looked back. Illawarra struggled to convert, while Sydney pushed the pace with power dunks and transition plays. A fiery moment late in the half saw Mason Peatling and Kouat Noi tangle for a loose ball, underlining the physicality of the contest.

The Kings exploded for a 35-point second quarter, taking a 53–32 lead into the break.

Hickey Leads the Fightback

Coming out of halftime, the Hawks made a statement. A 9–0 run cut the deficit to 12 (41–53), with Hickey, Harvey and McGee sparking life into the contest. But Sydney responded quickly, regaining momentum and never relinquishing it.

Hickey finished his milestone game with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals, a shining light in a difficult outing.

Captain Tyler Harvey added 15 points, while Harry Froling provided energy off the bench, contributing 6 points on perfect shooting.

McGee, limited by early foul trouble, still threw down a couple of swooping dunks that brought the crowd to its feet — but his impact was restricted to just 21 minutes.

Tough Day at the Office

The Hawks committed 26 turnovers — equalling their most ever at the WIN Entertainment Centre, and setting a new record for a 40-minute home game. The Kings capitalised with points in transition and punished Illawarra on the glass.

Sydney was paced by Kendric Davis (17 points, 8 assists), Tyler Robertson (14 points), and Xavier Cooks (13 points, 7 boards). They led for over 38 minutes and pushed the lead as high as 28.

What’s Next?

The Hawks now sit eighth on the NBL ladder at 4–7, with games in hand on several teams above them. A massive week awaits — starting with a Wednesday night showdown against the 8–3 Adelaide 36ers, before another Grand Final rematch at home on Friday against ladder-leaders Melbourne United. It’s a defining stretch in the push to climb back into the playoff race.

🎟️ Get your tickets now via Ticketmaster and help lift the boys as we fight to bounce back.

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HUNGRY JACK’S NBL SEASON 2025/26 | Round 9
SYDNEY KINGS 98 (Davis 17, Robertson 14, Cooks 13, Kuol 12)
ILLAWARRA HAWKS 71 (Hickey 19, Harvey 15, Froling 6)