Hickey Shines in NBL's Biggest Game
The Illawarra Hawks have reaffirmed their place as serious finals contenders with a commanding victory over the Cairns Taipans in the Far North. Will Hickey delivered a standout performance, recording the first triple-double of the NBL26 season and the first of his career in a blowout win.
Hawks Bounce Back After Early Struggles
After a disappointing 2-6 start, the reigning champions appeared far from the form their coach, Justin Tatum, would have hoped for. However, a significant win against the previously undefeated Melbourne United marked a crucial turnaround. The Hawks then solidified their resurgence with a strong showing against a Cairns team battling injuries and inconsistency on Friday night.
Cairns Taipans’ Challenging Lineup
Cairns coach Adam Forde fielded a starting lineup including Lachlan Barker and Mojave King, two players who might not have been expected to feature prominently just 10 days prior. King showed some promising moments, illustrating the creativity Forde employed to remain competitive despite difficulties.
First Half Competitiveness
Forde effectively organized his team in the first half, keeping the Taipans within striking distance until halftime. The Taipans managed to stay within a possession’s difference through strong teamwork and tactical execution.
Hawks Pull Away in Second Half
Whether due to a motivational boost from Tatum or strategic changes at halftime, the Hawks dominated the third quarter. They expanded their lead to double digits by the end of the term, putting the game firmly out of reach.
“Having slumped to a 2-6 record, the reigning champs were not having the title defence that Justin Tatum would’ve been hoping for early.”
“He did an excellent job of marshalling the troops in the first half, with the Taipans staying within a possession up until the stroke of half time.”
Author’s summary: Will Hickey’s historic triple-double powered the Illawarra Hawks’ decisive victory, signaling their strong return to title contention after a challenging start to the season.