NBL27 Match Recap: SEM Phoenix vs Melbourne United. 24 September 2026.

Melbourne United have again claimed the title of best team in town, winning Throwdown 33, presented by AXS, in dominant fashion inside John Cain Arena. The win is their first of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season and takes their record in the rivalry matchup to 23-10. 

The big-men opened up the scoring for United, as Josh Oduro threw down a put-back slam off a fast-break miss, and Sam Waardenburg hit a corner three, spacing the floor early. 

Chris Goulding followed up with his first bucket, dropping in a nice off the dribble mid-range jumper to put United up, in what was a strong night for the club legend. 

A string of turnovers from Melbourne led to an 8-0 run for the Phoenix, swinging the momentum and putting the home side up 12-9 with two minutes left in the quarter. 

On the defensive end, a stellar block from Malith Machar brought some energy back into United’s play, which quickly manifested into Cole Anthony’s first bucket of the night, as he drove strong to the ring for a layup. 

Luke Travers closed out the period with an athletic move to the ring, finishing off what was a scrappy first quarter, but left United with the slight advantage, 16-14. 

In the second period Oduro again opened the scoring, taking advantage of a Phoenix turnover by throwing it down for a dunk on the break. 

As the chaotic play continued, Joe Ingles settled the squad with a smooth drive off a pass fake for an easy floater to keep United in the lead. 

Midway through the period, Travers took over, getting to the ring for a layup, and showing off his long-range ability, hitting a top of the key three. 

Late in the period Anthony capped off an 11-0 run for United with back-to-0back threes, to give United a 37-28 lead.

Both sides traded buckets before the last minute of the half, when Goulding caught fire. As he has so many times before inside John Cain, United’s all time leading scorer hit back-to-back threes to give United a 45-35 lead going into halftime. 

Anthony opened the second half with a steal and a hoop, showing his two way versatility, and adding to his team’s lead. 

The star guard’s aggressiveness continued to pay off, as his effort to get two feet inside the paint and playmake led to an easy dunk for his compatriot, Oduro.

Goulding then dropped in his third three of the night, off another Anthony steal, kicking off a United run, which saw them score 11 unanswered points and expand their lead to 21 with four minutes left in the period.

During the stretch, United’s offensive versatility was on full display, with everyone in blue getting good looks at the ring and making the most of it. 

Machar showed how his offensive bag has deepened, hitting a tough stepback corner three in what was a major highlight for him. 

The Phoenix then went on a run of their own after some tough misses from United, encroaching on the lead, bringing it down to 12 as the buzzer sounded at the end of the third. 

Melbourne’s offense was slow to start the final period, not getting their first bucket until six minutes left in the game, when Goulding knocked down another shot from deep off a pump fake, to keep the Phoenix at bay. 

This kicked off what was a killer blow to the Phoenix,  as United closed out the game on a 17-0 run, dominating every aspect of the game, and putting the lead out of reach for the home team.  

Through the period, United’s defence was beyond elite, holding the home team to just four points for the entirety of the fourth, in what was the lowest scoring quarter from any team in the Hungry Jack’s NBL’s 40 minute era.

With 6:40 remaining, Fabijan Krslovic produced a monstrous block on Tanner Krebs; an initial foul call was overturned after a successful Coach’s Challenge, allowing the block to stand and fuelling United’s momentum into the final five minutes.

For the final bucket of the game and to take his total to 21 points, Oduro muscled in a hoop with the harm for a three point trip down the court, capping off what was a dominant performance in the paint for the import. 

United walked away with their first win of the season in dominant fashion and the final score at 86-61 in favour of Melbourne’s premier side. 

United will next take the court as the away team against the Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena on Thursday October 1 from 7:30pm.

Fans can tune in live via ESPN.

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