Hawks stun Kings in Christmas Day Thriller

Despite being jumped in the first quarter for the second consecutive game, The Hawks continue to show how far they have come under new coach Justin Tatum with a gritty 94-90 win. 

Sydney has won the past two NBL championships and had the wood over their nearest neighbour, winning eight straight against Illawarra. There is no doubt that this is a different Hawks team since Tatum took the reigns just six games ago.

Illawarra had won three of the first four and then put in a disappointing showing on Saturday at home to lose to the Tasmania JackJumpers. Their resilience and hunger, however, were on show in front of 8578 fans, many of them wearing the Hawks red and black after making the trip north up the highway following Christmas lunch.

That determination and focus were crucial to the Hawks getting the win, and in the end, the two biggest plays of the game to seal the win showed that.

It started with an offensive rebound from Next Star Lachlan Olbrich to set up veteran import forward Gary Clark to hit the go-ahead basket with 34 seconds remaining.

At the other end, sharpshooter Hyunjung Lee was determined to grab the defensive rebound, which led to Justin Robinson icing the game at the foul line, and the Hawks beat the Kings for the first time since April 24, 2022.

The victory improved the Hawks to 6-9 on the season with four wins from six games under Tatum, and they had to overcome an 18-point deficit in the second quarter to do it.

They were back within two by half-time and then closed the job, finishing with eight of the last 10 points, with Sam Froling leading the charge with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Tyler Harvey hit four three-pointers for 15 points, with Robinson adding 14 points and five assists, Lee 13 points on 3-of-4 three-point shooting, and Olbrich nine points and ten rebounds.

Tatum trumpeted the efforts of 19-year-old Olbrich post-match.

"Lachie Olbrich was MVP tonight, and we told him that at half-time and at the end of the game," Tatum said.

"He was the reason it started that spark for us, and he came in and gave us some energy and life.

"He's the MVP of this, and that's what's special about this group; you don't know who will show up, and guys are going to be ready when they get the opportunity."

The Hawks attention now turns to New Year's Eve, where they will take on the Adelaide 36ers at WIN Entertainment Centre from 5:30 pm.

HUNGRY JACKS NBL ROUND 12

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 94 (Froling 20, Harvey 15, Clark, Lee 13)

SYDNEY KINGS 90 (Adams 22, Hogg 15, Noi 14 )

BOX SCORE