UPDATE: The Illawarra Hawks faced a devastating loss on Saturday night, falling 116-76 to the South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena. This crushing defeat marks the Hawks’ fourth loss of the season, bringing their record to 1-4.
The Hawks struggled significantly, committing 25 turnovers during the game, which the Phoenix capitalized on throughout. The standout performer was Angus Glover, who tormented Illawarra with a blistering performance, including seven three-pointers in the first half alone. Glover finished the game with a career-high 26 points, leading his team to a commanding victory.
In a disastrous second quarter, the Phoenix outscored the Hawks 36-17, taking a dominating 66-40 lead into halftime. The Hawks could not recover from this setback, as South East Melbourne continued to dominate the court, finishing the game with a total of 50 points in the second half, compared to Illawarra’s 36.
Key players for the Phoenix included Nathan Sobey, who contributed 21 points, and Hunter Maldonato, who made a notable impact with 13 points and nine assists. The Hawks’ best performer was JaVale McGee, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds but ultimately could not turn the tide for his team.
The Hawks’ head coach, Justin Tatum, had indicated prior to the match that the team’s performance would influence their future import decisions. The struggles at point guard led to 17-year-old Jackson Ball making his NBL debut, where he scored two points, showing promise for the future.
As the Hawks grapple with their disappointing start to the season, fans and analysts alike are questioning what changes are necessary to turn around their fortunes. The team’s ongoing struggles with ball handling and defense must be addressed immediately to regain their competitive edge in the NBL.
Looking ahead, the Hawks must regroup quickly as they prepare for their next match. The urgency to improve is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting signs of resilience from their team. Will Illawarra bounce back, or will the season continue to spiral downward? Stay tuned as the situation develops.
