The South East Melbourne Phoenix are bracing for what promises to be an intense playoff showdown against the Illawarra Hawks tonight at the WIN Entertainment Centre. The Phoenix are not backing down without putting up a significant fight, even as the Hawks enter the matchup as the number one seed, boasting home court advantage and formidable momentum from their successful season.
This playoff series is pivotal for both teams, as the Illawarra Hawks seek to end their 24-year championship drought, last claiming the NBL title back in 2001. Meanwhile, the Phoenix—founded just seven years ago—have yet to secure their first championship, making this series especially significant.
Coached by Josh King, the Phoenix have navigated through adversity this season, including beginning their campaign with five consecutive losses, leading to their coach's dismissal. They demonstrated resilience by bouncing back to snatch the fourth seed.
“We’re not gonna win games on the road in shootouts, we need to do the best we can to limit their (the Hawks) second-chance opportunities,” stated King, highlighting the key to their success against the Hawks, who lead the league with 15.2 second-chance points per game.
Tonight's game begins at 7:30 PM AEDT and will be broadcast live on ESPN, inviting fans to catch the showdown as the Phoenix aim to cause an upset against the high-flying Hawks, who hold home-court advantage. With their season culminating from hard-fought battles, expectations are high on both sides.
Historically, the Hawks have consistently been competitive since the NBL's inception, and with their strong lineup—featuring the scoring prowess of players like Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell—they pose significant challenges for the Phoenix.
Nevertheless, King sees his team as capable of rising to the occasion: “We’ve had good matches against these guys this year. It’s going to be different in the playoffs, we know, but we’re very familiar with them, and they’re very familiar with us so we’re ready to go.”
On the court, eyes will be on Joseph Wieskamp, who has been red-hot, shooting at 83 percent during the game, alongside Derrick Walton Jr, returning from injury and marking his 50th NBL game tonight.
This matchup not only carries tension but also excitement as both teams seek to assert dominance early on. The Phoenix previously outscored Illawarra 34-23 in the second quarter of their latest regular season matchup, displaying their ability to come alive when it matters.
The Hawks, spearheaded by coach Justin Tatum, have enjoyed favorable preparation, coming off a month of rest since the NBL25 regular season concluded early February. They now aim to maintain their momentum and assert their dominance against the visiting side.
With the stakes at their highest, the crowd at the WIN Entertainment Centre is expected to support the Hawks vigorously, creating an electric atmosphere. For the Phoenix, pulling off the upset will require executing their game plan effectively and maintaining poise against the loud crowd.
Fans and analysts alike are curious if the Phoenix can carry their momentum from their recent playoff victory against the Adelaide 36ers, where they triumphed 85-75 to secure their position, displaying commendable resilience by overcoming significant deficits.
With both teams set to go toe-to-toe tonight, the excitement surrounding this opening game of their playoff series is palpable. It will be fascinating to see if the Phoenix can pull off what would be considered one of the bigger upsets of the playoffs, or if the Hawks will solidify their status as championship contenders.
The game marks not just another battle for the coveted NBL crown but also serves as validation for the respective journeys of both franchises. Can the Phoenix defy the odds and make their playoff dreams come true against the like of the Hawks?
Time will tell, but one thing is for certain: both teams are ready to display their best basketball tonight, with ambitions and legacies on the line!