Game Report: Hawks vs United | Rd8 NBL26

The Sandpit roared to life on Wednesday night as the Illawarra Hawks reminded the NBL they’re still a force to be reckoned with, toppling first-placed Melbourne United 107–93 in a fiery Round 8 victory at the WIN Entertainment Centre — their best performance of the season, and first home win in the IGNITE Cup by Disney+.

Coming off a demanding stretch — their third game since Friday — and with championship pride on the line, the Hawks produced a resounding bounce-back from last week’s 42-point loss, spearheaded by a vintage night from JaVale McGee, who poured in 37 points, 14 rebounds and 2 steals in a dominant display inside.

The win sees Illawarra claim 6 of 7 available Ignite Cup points, move up the Cup standings, and breathe life into their NBL26 campaign.

McGee Makes History

McGee was simply unstoppable. The three-time NBA champ went 13-of-21 from the field, 10-of-11 at the line, and even nailed his first NBL three-pointer, sending the crowd into a frenzy with a celebration as loud as the dunk that followed it. It was the highest-scoring performance by any Hawks player against United and a reminder that the big man still has plenty in the tank.

From monster dunks to rim protection, to trash talk with Finn Delany, McGee brought energy, leadership, and showmanship — especially in a pivotal second quarter where he racked up 20 first-half points and helped Illawarra build a 57–43 halftime lead.

Davo, QJ and Harvey Bring the Heat

It wasn’t a one-man show.

William “Davo” Hickey was everywhere — once again stuffing the stat sheet with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks, and sparking the Hawks with physical defence and confident shot-making. His toughness on both ends set the tone early, and he wasn’t backing down, even getting tangled in a brief post-game scuffle with Fabijan Krslovic after the buzzer.

Captain Tyler Harvey was lethal from deep, hitting 4-of-5 threes en route to 17 points, while QJ Peterson delivered his best outing yet in a Hawks uniform — 11 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds, bringing pace and composure to the second unit.

Wani Leads Defensive Charge as Goulding Silenced

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk chipped in 14 points and 4 rebounds, but it was his defence — and the tone he set — that truly stood out.

He spearheaded what was arguably the Hawks’ best defensive outing of the season, holding Melbourne United’s Chris Goulding to just 5 points on 2-of-8 shooting. But it wasn’t a solo effort — Illawarra’s entire unit locked in, rotating, contesting, and crashing the glass with a hunger that’s been building for weeks.

Post-game, Coach Justin Tatum again declared Wani the best defender in the NBL, and performances like this only strengthen the claim.

Blanchfield’s Blue-Collar Brilliance

One of the unsung heroes of the night was Todd Blanchfield, whose numbers won’t scream, but whose effort roared.

Blanchfield was relentless on the glass — tipping out missed shots, boxing out bigger bodies, and keeping plays alive. His hustle created multiple second-chance possessions, resulting in team rebounds that swung momentum. In a game where Illawarra dominated the boards 37–25, Todd’s fingerprints were all over it.

From the Opposition

Melbourne threatened briefly in the third — trimming the lead to eight — but foul trouble to Jesse Edwards (19 pts, 6 reb) and relentless pressure from the Hawks allowed the home side to restore control. McGee’s long bomb in the fourth quarter and resulting arm twirl ignited the crowd as the lead ballooned to 20, sealing a night to remember in Wollongong.

Finn Delany led Melbourne with 21 points, while Milton Doyle added 16 points and 11 assists, and Tyson Walker contributed 14 points. United have now lost back-to-back games after winning their first nine games.

The Moment:

McGee’s three in the fourth — his first of the season — followed by a wild celebration and a nod to the crowd. That moment symbolised everything this game was: passion, pressure, and pure theatre.

Next Up:

The Hawks now hit the road once again, heading to Far North Queensland to face the Cairns Taipans on Friday night

🎟️ We’re back at The Sandpit Sunday, November 16 at 2:30pm vs Sydney Kings — be there live!
Grab your tickets now at Ticketmaster

📲 For highlights, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes action, check our social media channels!

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HUNGRY JACK’S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – IGNITE CUP BY DISNEY+ (Boxscore)

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 107 (McGee 37, Hickey 18, Harvey 17)
MELBOURNE UNITED 93 (Delany 21, Edwards 19, Doyle 16)

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