DrinkWise Preview: NBL26 - Round 21, Game 2 v Illawarra Hawks

After securing an important win on Thursday evening, we will look to back our performance up on Sunday afternoon when we host the Illawarra Hawks from 2:30pm inside John Cain Arena.

Having won four of our past six games, continuing to gather momentum will be the goal for us when we take to the court in this rematch of last year’s Championship series.

For the Hawks, a loss on Friday night officially ended their hopes of advancing into the postseason, however expect the team to come out with energy once the ball is tipped up.

WHAT’S THE WORD?

After securing his first NBL win as Head Coach in Dean Vickerman’s absence, Rhys Carter touched on the mindset within the team heading into Sunday.

“We focused on the right things and showed toughness, showed grit and showed poise and composure in the fourth,” Carter explained. 

“The energy was good in that second half. The vibes in the locker room after is we’ve got to keep this thing rolling and keep the good vibes in the group moving into the playoffs.”

Despite the loss to the Kings, Hawks Head Coach Justin Tatum says he knows his lineup will still do everything they can to finish the season with force.

“I'm in a really good place, we're in a really good place because, you know, I'm just glad guys are healthy,” Tatum said.

“They're still motivated to come on out these next two games and find a way to get a win.”

WHO’S HOT, WHO'S NOT

When the game was in the balance on Thursday, Milton Doyle stepped up.

The import guard finished with 25 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. He is one of only two players to have tallied six double-digit scoring fourth quarters this season.

Now averaging 17.9 points per game off the bench this season, look for Doyle to remain in attack mode on Sunday.

Looking to match Doyle will be Tyler Harvey, who scored 16 points in Illawarra’s 26 point loss to the Sydney Kings on Friday.

Harvey has been successful against us this season, connecting on 63.4% of his long-range looks in the three previous games.

DETAILS

Who: Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks

Tip-off: 2:30pm AEDT, Sunday 15 February, 2026

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch: ESPN & Channel 10

Tickets: SOLD OUT

‍