BRISBANE (Azat TV) – The Illawarra Hawks, defending champions of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), secured a crucial 113-75 victory over the injury-plagued Brisbane Bullets at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Monday, January 26, 2026. This dominant 38-point win marks their second consecutive triumph, significantly boosting their bid for a playoff spot and propelling them closer to the coveted sixth position on the ladder, while further deepening the woes of the last-placed Bullets.
Hawks’ Offensive Masterclass Fuels Playoff Aspirations
The Illawarra Hawks showcased an unstoppable offensive display, particularly their bench unit, which contributed a staggering 78 of their 113 points. Sharpshooter Tyler Harvey led the charge with 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists, marking his first 20-point game since Round 10. Three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee dominated the paint efficiently, adding 18 points and 10 rebounds in just under 18 minutes of play. William ‘Will’ Hickey provided a masterful spark off the bench with 17 points and seven assists, while Sam Froling contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists, and Daniel Grida added 13 points.
The Hawks seized control from the opening tip. After Brisbane took an early 7-6 lead, Head Coach Justin Tatum strategically benched all five starters, a move that immediately paid dividends as his second unit scored 10 quick unanswered points. Illawarra never looked back, outscoring the Bullets 22-11 in the first quarter and extending their lead to 55-31 by halftime. The third quarter saw the Hawks at their most explosive, racking up 41 points and pushing the lead to an insurmountable 48 points at one stage, an offensive clinic that left the Bullets scrambling.
Remarkably, the Hawks also achieved a perfect 27-for-27 from the free-throw line, a performance understood to be an NBL record, according to ESPN Australia. Their overall offensive efficiency was superb, shooting just over 55 percent from the field, complemented by an equally impressive defensive effort that saw them outrebound the Bullets 42 to 25 and limit Brisbane to just over 42 percent shooting from the field.
Contrasting Fortunes on the NBL Ladder
This win improves the Hawks’ season record to 10-16, positioning them just behind the 10-17 New Zealand Breakers and the 12-16 Tasmania JackJumpers in the race for a play-in spot. The defending champions have left themselves plenty of work to do, but recent struggles and injuries plaguing teams above them, like Tasmania and New Zealand, have potentially opened the door for Illawarra. Their victory over the JackJumpers on Saturday and this dominant performance against Brisbane demonstrate a team finding its rhythm at a crucial juncture of the season, as Tyler Harvey noted in a post-game interview, stating the team is ‘trying to play consistently for 40 minutes, put a full game together and I think tonight was our closest step to doing that.’
Looking ahead, the Hawks face a significant challenge as they travel to Sydney to take on the red-hot Kings on Thursday at Qudos Bank Arena. Harvey expressed excitement for the match-up, emphasizing the need for their energy and ball-sharing to carry over. ‘We know it’s going to be a tough one in Sydney but we’ll be up for the challenge,’ he told Basketball.com.au.
Bullets Grapple with Injury Crisis and Dismal Season
For the Brisbane Bullets, this 38-point defeat marks their ninth loss by 25 or more points this season and their biggest loss of a forgettable campaign, following a 32-point loss to Melbourne just a week prior. Currently last-placed with a 6-22 record, the Bullets are severely hampered by injuries, missing seven key players including Casey Prather, Dakota Mathias, Javon Freeman-Liberty, and Lamar Patterson. NBL commentator Damon Lowery stated on the broadcast that interim coach Darryl McDonald is not to blame for the team’s struggles, suggesting, ‘No one can coach this team… the coach of the year this season couldn’t win with this team.’ The team also saw the mid-season departure of rookie coach Stu Lash.
Hunter Maldonado led the scoring for Brisbane with 20 points and four assists, while Taine Murray added 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists with no turnovers. Mitch Norton contributed 12 points. However, the Bullets’ offense was largely lackluster, particularly from beyond the arc, where they connected on only eight of 32 attempts. They also struggled with ball control, finishing with 14 turnovers.
The Bullets will quickly look to regroup as they host the league-leading Adelaide 36ers in an Ignite Cup match on Wednesday night on the Gold Coast, a challenging fixture given their current form.
The Illawarra Hawks’ commanding victory over the Brisbane Bullets not only underscores the stark contrast in trajectories between the two NBL teams but also highlights the Hawks’ potential to make a late-season surge. While the Bullets appear to be a team in disarray, plagued by injuries and struggling for consistency, Illawarra’s depth and renewed offensive cohesion suggest they are building momentum at a critical juncture, positioning themselves as a formidable contender for the final playoff spots.