Hickey Shines in NBL's Season Highlight
The Illawarra Hawks have declared themselves firmly back in finals contention after a dominant victory over the Cairns Taipans in the Far North.
Will Hickey delivered a standout performance, recording the first triple-double of NBL26 and his career to lead the Hawks in a decisive win against Cairns.
Hawks' Season Turnaround
After a slow start with a 2-6 record, the reigning champions were not living up to early expectations for title defense under Justin Tatum. However, a huge win over previously undefeated Melbourne United marked a strong return to form.
The Hawks continued their momentum by defeating a weakened and injury-plagued Taipans team on Friday night.
Cairns Taipans’ Challenges
Coach Adam Forde's lineup included two unexpected starters, Lachlan Barker and Mojave King, who were unlikely to feature in scouting reports just ten days earlier. King's moments of impact highlighted Forde's creativity in adapting his roster.
Forde managed the team well in the first half, keeping the Taipans within a possession of the Hawks through to halftime.
Hawks’ Tactical Edge
Whether due to encouragement from Tatum or strategic changes during the break, the Hawks dominated the third quarter, extending their lead to double digits by the end of the period.
"A massive win against a previously undefeated Melbourne United was a long-awaited return to form, and the Hawks backed it up by taking care of business against a struggling and injury-riddled Taipans outfit on Friday night."
Author's summary: Will Hickey’s triple-double powered the Illawarra Hawks to a key victory, signaling their strong comeback and solidifying their finals ambitions in the NBL season.