The Moments That Made Us! - Vote for your favourite now!
Check out this round's matchups, and CLICK HERE to watch the highlights AND cast your vote to advance to the next round!
ZHOU QI ARRIVES vs MATT HURT'S BACK-TO-BACK DOMINANCE
ZHOU QI ARRIVES:
There was plenty of hype on the arrival of former NBA giant Zhou Qi and three games into his tenure, he lived up to it. On December 12, 2021, Zhou delivered an outstanding performance for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in their 94-86 victory over Melbourne United at John Cain Arena. He recorded a double-double with a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds, significantly contributing to the Phoenix's third consecutive win of the season.
Defensively, Zhou was formidable, amassing seven blocks throughout the game. His presence in the paint disrupted Melbourne United's offensive strategies, underscoring his defensive prowess.
This dominant display highlighted Zhou's seamless integration into the Phoenix lineup and his capacity to influence both ends of the court. His performance was instrumental in the team's success and demonstrated his value as a key player for the Phoenix.
MATT HURT'S BACK-TO-BACK DOMINANCE:
Matt Hurt made an immediate impact on the Phoenix in his first season overseas. He was coined the ‘certified bucket getter’ and ‘un-guardable’ by many experts around the league and he lived up to the hype by claiming the club’s MVP award. Alongside a number of individual accolades, the Minnesota native also broke Phoenix records, including a pair of games not seen in the Heartland before.
During his first trip to Gippsland, he strolled in and strolled out with 32 points on 14-20 shooting, but the week would get better just three days later on a road trip north to Cairns, where he dropped 33 points on 14-18 from the field.
No Phoenix player had posted back-to-back 30-plus point games until now, with Hurt doing it two more times in his 34 games with the Phoenix.
MITCH CREEK DUNK ON DELLY vs FIRST EVER GRISS GAME
MITCH CREEK DUNK:
It was the dunk heard around the world, and it catapulted the NBL into the stratosphere and straight onto ESPN Sportscenter. Throwdown XIII had arguably the most memorable moment to happen on an Australian court in the last ten years when Mitch Creek posterized Matthew Dellavedova in front of a packed crowd at John Cain Arena.
Thanks to a 2-on-1 fast break, and a perfectly lobbed pass from Izayah Le’Afa, Creek slammed down a thunderous jam on Dellavedova – who admittedly did the best anyone could in the situation – to send the crowd into hysterics.
Creek’s animated celebrations drew retribution from Mason Peatling, inciting a bench-clearing brawl and seeing the United big suspended for a game, three Phoenix players fined and a United coach financially reprimanded for his role in the melee.
FIRST EVER GRISS GAME:
On January 25, 2022, the South East Melbourne Phoenix brought big-time basketball to regional Victoria, lighting up Traralgon’s Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in a historic showdown against the Cairns Taipans. The energy inside the packed arena was electric as the Phoenix looked to make a statement in their first-ever NBL regular-season game in the heart of Gippsland.
The Phoenix rose to the occasion, delivering a gritty, hard-fought win over a stubborn Taipans outfit. With timely shooting, relentless pressure, and the crowd behind them, South East Melbourne pulled away in the second half to seal the result. Key contributors stepped up when it mattered most, showcasing the depth and resolve of a team eyeing bigger things.
This victory wasn’t just about the scoreboard—it was about connection. The Phoenix not only tightened their grip on a strong NBL campaign but also etched themselves into the memory of a new legion of fans. Traralgon turned teal for a night, and the Phoenix didn’t disappoint.
CREEK DROPS 46 vs TYLER COOK'S POSTERISING DUNK
CREEK DROPS 46 IN TRARALGON:
The game was incredible, the stadium was electric and the stars on both sides shone brightly. But in a double-overtime classic at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, it was Mitch Creek who put on arguably the best performance of his 137 outings in the Heartland to drag the Phoenix over the line in one of the greatest games in recent NBL history.
All tied up at the end of regulation, and again at the end of period one of overtime, the game struggled to find a deadlock breaker. Derrick Walton Jr for the Kings was playing out of his skin, but matching him shot for shot was the Phoenix captain. In just the second time in 32 years, two players passed 45 points with Walton Jr adding 10 assists, and Creek’s 46 points paired with 10 rebounds.
The Phoenix victory after a missed shot from Walton Jr sent the crowd into raptures, but a time of debrief and reflection allowed the sheer magnitude of the individual performance to truly rear its head. To put it in perspective, the highest individual scoring effort after Creek’s 46 points is 36 points – by none other than Mitch Creek.
TYLER COOK'S POSTERISING DUNK:
Tyler Cook’s short stay down under was nothing short of spectacular. In as an injury replacement for Alan Williams, Cook made an immediate impact claiming the MVP of the pre-season competition and making the highlight reel in each of his three regular season outings for the Phoenix.
But his most memorable act was posterizing projected lottery pick Alexandre Sarr in front of the Fire Pit. In both of their second games, a perfectly timed Gary Browne assist saw Cook storm through the lane to meet Sarr at the rim, finishing with ferocity and aplomb. Sarr took umbrage to Cook’s celebrations and a mini scuffle ensued. But the damage was done, the posters were made, and the highlight reels were ready and waiting.
UNDERDOG WIN AT SBC vs ROWDY HITS THE NBL
UNDERDOG WIN AT SBC:
Missing arguably five of their best six players, and having lost their previous four games, no one in the basketball world gave the Phoenix a chance. That is – except the Phoenix themselves. It was a shock victory that led captain Mitch Creek post-game to become as emotional as it gets, heaping praise on the shoulder of Kody Stattman, Anzac Rissetto, Owen Foxwell and Ben Ayre.
Whilst inconsequential to the NBL standings, the victory would be the sole win in the run home for South East Melbourne and one remembered fondly for the pure will that saw Mike Kelly’s team home at the State Basketball Centre.
ROWDY HITS THE NBL:
On April 1, 2021, Ryan Broekhoff delivered a standout performance for the South East Melbourne Phoenix, scoring 26 points in their commanding 95-63 victory over the Illawarra Hawks. Coming off the bench, Broekhoff showcased his exceptional shooting skills by hitting 7 of 11 attempts from three-point range in less than 22 minutes of play.
Broekhoff's entry into the game ignited a significant turnaround for the Phoenix. His three-point shooting sparked a remarkable 24-0 run in the third quarter, transforming a one-point deficit into a 23-point lead by the end of the period.
The high-profile recruit hadn’t quite hit his straps – by his own admission – but this game showed the league, and the country just the kind of damage the Frankston local was capable of.
INCREDIBLE COMEBACK IN PLAYOFF vs FIRST CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
INCREDIBLE COMEBACK IN PLAYOFF:
Just 26 points at half time, against the lowest seed in the NBL post-season in the 36ers, and the Phoenix found themselves staring down the barrel of a straight-sets elimination. The concoction of everything going wrong for Josh King’s side silenced the normally frenzied Fire Pit as Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell threatened to douse the flame of the Phoenix Cinderella story.
A now infamous rev-up from former assistant coach Sam Mackinnon spurred the charges on with the team coming out hot and chasing down a 21-point deficit in the final term. Cameos from Ben Ayre (17 points) and Angus Glover (10 points) bookended Matt Hurt’s powerful showing, 25 points and nine rebounds capping off the Phoenix’s most remarkable comeback ever.
FIRST CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR:
For the first time in six seasons, the Phoenix would play with the roof open at John Cain Arena. Themed the “Christmas Spectacular”, with a visit from Santa scheduled, Melbourne’s weather turned it on making the unprecedented laser show a highlight of the NBL season.
The roof opening moment wowed the 10,000 strong crowd, with parachuted gift vouchers, seg-sleighs and a half-time performance by Birdman elevating the atmosphere exponentially.
A pivotal game in the playoff seedings for two sides in similar positions, the Phoenix would take the chocolates illuminated by the Victorian night's hue, Matt Hurt and Derrick Walton Jr starring under the stars.
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