Round 7: Kings vs Hawks

The Freeway Series reignites as your Hawks head up the highway to take on the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena this Sunday afternoon.

With the FIBA break behind us, Coach Jackomas's squad begins their quest to climb back up the NBL table on enemy territory.

The Hawks will hope that the extra time on the practice floor will deliver in spades as they look for a four-quarter effort against the ladder leaders.

The first instalment of the Freeway Series was a see-sawing affair, with the Kings pulling away in the final quarter to record a 9-point win.

Opening night was the Lachie Dent show as he set the WIN Entertainment Centre alight with a career-high 19 points, while the Kings were led by import guard Derrick Walton Junior with 32-points and 8-assists.

There are more than just bragging rights on the line, and a win has the potential to right the ship and build some momentum leading into a make-or-break stretch of the Hawks season.

Keep a Hawk Eye On

Sam Froling.

Froling led from the front in the Boomers win over Kazakhstan in last weekend’s FIBA Asian Qualifier. An 18-point, 11-rebound outing saw the Hawks big man help lead the national squad to a spot in next year’s FIBA World Cup.

Sam is just one game removed from a dominant performance against Melbourne United, which saw him dominate the paint off the back of 27 points and 15 rebounds.

A focused and aggressive Froling will be key to the Hawks leaving the Q with a win on Sunday, and the co-captain will be called on to set the tone for his young and emerging squad from the opening tip.

Opposition Watch

 The Kings have spent the 2-week FIBA break sitting atop the NBL23 ladder with a 7-2 record.

The new road warriors of the league have reeled off 17 straight wins away from Sydney and have been led by a nucleus of Walton Jr, Vasiljevic, Simon, and Xavier Cooks.

Cooks missed the Boomers trip to Kazakhstan after suffering an ankle injury against the Breakers in round 6 and will be a game-time decision against the Hawks.

Cooks has been in MVP calibre form leading the Kings in points [16.3] and rebounds [8.3] and is second to only Walton Jr. in assists [4.1]. His presence and output will be sorely missed if he is unable to get up on Sunday.

The Hawks will be hoping a siege mentality can see them follow Cairns and Adelaide to steel wins on the Kings' home floor across the season's opening rounds.

How to Watch

Catch all the action from 4:00pm AEDT on 10 Peach.

Hawks Socials

Follow all the action from Sunday's game, on the Hawks social media channels @illawarrahawks and use the hashtag ‘Hawk Nation’ when you share your pics and stories.