In a thrilling Saturday night showdown, the Illawarra Hawks demonstrated their resilience and firepower, defeating the South East Melbourne Phoenix 88-82 to maintain their grip on the top spot in the NBL standings. The Hawks, fresh off a heartbreaking loss to Melbourne United, entered the game without their star point guard Trey Kell III but refused to let his absence derail their quest for victory.
Tyler Harvey’s Stellar Performance
Leading the charge for Illawarra was the sensational Tyler Harvey, who lit up the scoreboard with a game-high 22 points, including a scintillating 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Harvey’s offensive prowess was on full display as he consistently found open looks and made the Phoenix pay for every defensive lapse.
Tyler Harvey was absolutely electric tonight. His ability to create his own shot and knock down threes from all over the court really kept us in the game and allowed us to stay aggressive.
Illawarra Hawks head coach Justin Tatum
Overcoming Early Deficit
The Hawks found themselves in an early hole, trailing by as much as 10 points in the second quarter. However, a pivotal timeout called by coach Justin Tatum sparked a 14-0 run that shifted the momentum squarely in Illawarra’s favor. From that point on, the Hawks maintained a steady lead, fending off every Phoenix challenge with poise and precision.
Balanced Attack and Defensive Intensity
While Harvey stole the show, he had plenty of help from his supporting cast. Darius Days proved to be an efficient sidekick, contributing 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting along with 7 rebounds. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk continued his impressive play, registering 13 points while locking down Phoenix star Nathan Sobey on the defensive end.
The Hawks’ frontcourt also made its presence felt, with Sam Froling notching 11 points and 7 assists in the paint, and Davo Hickey stuffing the stat sheet with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in his first start of the season.
I thought our guys really stepped up tonight and showed what they’re capable of. Sam and Davo gave us great minutes inside, and Wani’s defense on Sobey was absolutely crucial. It was a total team effort.
Coach Justin Tatum
Phoenix Showing Progress Despite Loss
Though the Phoenix fell short, their performance over the last six days offers reasons for optimism. Under interim head coach Sam Mackinnon, who was coaching his final game before handing over the reins to American Josh King, South East Melbourne displayed improved energy and cohesion.
Phoenix import Joe Wieskamp enjoyed his best outing of the NBL season, tallying 16 points and hauling in 7 rebounds. Matt Hurt paced the Phoenix with 18 points and 9 boards, while Next Star Malique Lewis chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in an encouraging display of his raw potential.
Hawks Flying High
With the win, Illawarra improves to a league-best 6-2 record and further cements its status as the team to beat in the NBL. The Hawks have now won four of their last five contests and show no signs of slowing down.
As the season progresses, coach Justin Tatum’s squad will look to build upon their early success and continue to develop their chemistry on both ends of the floor. If Tyler Harvey can maintain his scorching form and the supporting cast continues to deliver timely contributions, the Hawks may just have the firepower to soar all the way to the NBL Championship.
The Illawarra Hawks will aim to keep their winning streak alive when they face off against the Perth Wildcats next Friday night at WIN Entertainment Centre. The Phoenix, meanwhile, will look to regroup under new head coach Josh King as they prepare for a crucial matchup with the New Zealand Breakers on Thursday.
In a league as competitive as the NBL, every game matters, and the Hawks’ ability to bounce back from adversity and maintain their spot atop the standings speaks volumes about their character and resolve. As the season unfolds, basketball fans across Australia will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the high-flying Hawks and their electrifying brand of basketball.
