The Illawarra Hawks' hopes of defending their NBL championship are clinging to life by the slimmest of threads following a demoralising 101-96 defeat to the New Zealand Breakers at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday, January 11.
Season on the Brink After Third Straight Loss to Kiwi Rivals
The loss, which was the Hawks' third in as many meetings with the Breakers this season, sends the defending champions tumbling to eighth place on the NBL26 ladder with a worrying 8-15 record. With only ten regular-season games remaining, the mathematics of a finals berth now look brutally against them. The Hawks likely need to win eight or nine of their remaining fixtures and rely on other results to fall perfectly their way to scrape into the top six.
Head coach Justin Tatum acknowledged the grim reality post-game, stating his team's destiny was no longer in their own hands. "Statistically, we're still in it, but we've now got to rely on other teams, other situations," Tatum said. He vowed to keep fighting, however, adding, "until it's statistically all the way out, I'll never say never."
Turnovers and Free-Throw Frustration Prove Costly
The game was defined by Illawarra's self-inflicted wounds and an ongoing frustration with officiating. The Hawks coughed up the ball a damaging 19 times, with 12 of those turnovers coming in the first 15 minutes alone, allowing the Breakers to build momentum.
Tatum also highlighted a staggering statistic that has plagued his team at home. The last time the Hawks shot more free throws than an opponent at the WIN Entertainment Centre was November 5 last year. "I have double bigs and guys attacking the free throw line. It's unfortunate that we can't seem to find a way to get similar calls," Tatum lamented, while stressing it was not an excuse for the loss.
The Breakers, who were also desperate for a win to keep their own faint playoff hopes alive, led for almost the entire contest. They took a 28-25 lead into the first break thanks to a stunning buzzer-beating three-pointer from near half-court by Parker Jackson-Cartwright.
Hawks Fight Back But Fall Short in Final Minutes
New Zealand extended their lead to as many as 12 points in the second quarter, but the Hawks clawed back to trail 49-43 at halftime. The visitors again pushed their advantage to 14 points in the third term before another Illawarra fightback, led by Will Hickey, cut the deficit to just three points late in the quarter. The Breakers steadied to lead 71-66 at the final change.
The fourth quarter was a tense affair. Every time the Hawks closed the gap, the Breakers had an answer. Jackson-Cartwright and Izaiah Brockington hit clutch three-pointers to keep Illawarra at bay. With 12.4 seconds left and down by three, the Hawks fouled Jackson-Cartwright, who made both free throws. A Tyler Harvey floater made it a one-point game with 8.9 seconds remaining, but Brockington was fouled and iced two more free throws.
The Hawks' fate was sealed when they were called for a backcourt violation on the ensuing inbound, effectively ending the game. Rob Baker II made two final free throws for the Breakers to secure the 101-96 victory.
Jackson-Cartwright was superb for New Zealand with 23 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, supported by Sam Menenga (21 points) and Baker (17 points). For the Hawks, QJ Peterson top-scored with 22 points, while Harvey, Hickey, and Dan Grida all contributed 14 points each. The Hawks' big men, JaVale McGee and Sam Froling, combined for just 15 points and five rebounds.
The result leaves both teams with identical 8-15 records, but with time running out, the Hawks' title defence is now in critical condition.
