Melbourne United semi-final series to be played interstate

The NBL has announced the schedule for the Hungry Jack’s NBL Semi Finals.

Despite finishing on top of the NBL ladder, an achievement that would usually secure home court advantage, due to the COVID pandemic the NBL has determined Melbourne United need to stay out of Victoria to ensure that they can compete in their respective away games uninterrupted by travel restrictions.

As a result, Melbourne United will host their home games in New South Wales for the duration of the semi-finals. Melbourne United will face the South East Melbourne Phoenix in a best-of-three semi-final series without crowds at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

MELBOURNE UNITED v SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX

Game 1: Friday June 11

Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix, Qudos Bank Arena, 7:30pm AEST
ESPN, SBS Viceland, SBS On Demand, Sky Sport, Twitch

Game 2: Sunday 13 June

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Melbourne United, Qudos Bank Arena, 3:00pm AEST
ESPN, SBS Viceland, SBS On Demand, Sky Sport, Twitch

Game 3 (if required): Tuesday 15 June

Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix, Qudos Bank Arena, 7:30pm AEST
ESPN, SBS Viceland, SBS On Demand, Sky Sport, Twitch

Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: “We would love to be playing all of our games in front of fans but we also need to account for the ongoing uncertainty caused by COVID and the need to remain flexible from a scheduling point of view to preserve the integrity of the finals as best we can.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix are going to play their home semi-finals in New South Wales without crowds.“

“The health and safety of players, coaches, referees, staff and fans remains the NBL’s number one priority and, as always, the league’s decisions on Finals scheduling will be guided by the advice of each State Government and relevant health authorities.”

The club remain hopeful of returning to Victoria should the team progress through to the Hungry Jacks Grand Final Series. The club want nothing more than to be able to return to our home court in order to play in front of the club’s members, sponsors, partners, fans and families, all of whom have shown incredible patience and unwavering support during these challenging times.