DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: The Phoenix take on Hawks after FIBA break

Key Details

ILLAWARRA HAWKS (4-9) 9th vs. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (9-4) 3rd
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
When: Thursday, December 4 at 7:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN

After a two-week break for the FIBA Window, the Phoenix return to the court to begin the second half of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season against the Illawarra Hawks.

The Phoenix head back to Wollongong, where their NBL25 campaign ended in Game 3 of the semi-finals, and will be eager to redeem themselves in what is always a hostile environment.

Josh King’s side will look to rebound from a disappointing loss to Adelaide before the break and push their way back into the top-two conversation.

Interestingly, Jordan Hunter and Angus Glover will return from Boomers action and go straight to New South Wales for this encounter, on the same plane as Will Hickey who turns from friend to foe within 48 hours.

The last time the two teams met, the Phoenix recorded a 40-point victory, the largest winning margin in club history, and will aim to continue their dominance over the Hawks in NBL26.

Illawarra, currently ninth on the ladder, went down by just three points to Melbourne United before the break and will be desperate to start climbing towards a potential play-in berth.

TEAMS

Phoenix

Malique Lewis (pneumothorax) and Owen Foxwell (corked thigh) will miss the round 11 games. Foxwell will be replaced by DP Pat Ryan.

In good news, Hunter Maldonado will return to the team after recovering from a concussion he sustained in round 8.

Hawks

The Hawks will regain Dan Grida who missed the last two rounds due to concussion. They will be without Jonah Bolden who sustained an Achilles injury during training over the FIBA break and is out for the season, he will replaced by Johny Narkle. 

KEEP AN EYE ON

Angus Glover 

Sharpshooter Angus Glover always seems to lift against his former club. When the sides met in Round 5, he went on a three-point barrage, knocking down eight triples, equalling the second-most threes ever made by a Phoenix player.

The 27-year-old will be one to watch again, especially as he enters the game coming off starts with the Boomers during the FIBA break. 

HISTORY

Head-to-Head
Phoenix 13-10 Hawks

Last time out – Rd5, NBL26
Phoenix 116-76 Hawks

Phoenix
Glover 26p
Sobey 21p
Maldonado 13p

Hawks
McGee 22p
Harvey 14p
H. Froling 11p