Hickey goes nuclear in NBL’s biggest game of the season
The Illawarra Hawks reaffirmed their finals ambitions with a dominant win over the Cairns Taipans in Far North Queensland. Will Hickey delivered a career-defining performance, recording the first triple-double of NBL26 and the first of his professional career.
After a rough 2-6 start, the reigning champions were struggling to defend their title under coach Justin Tatum. However, a breakthrough victory against previously undefeated Melbourne United marked a turning point. The Hawks solidified that resurgence by comfortably defeating an injury-ravaged Taipans side on Friday night.
Cairns’ tough challenge
Taipans coach Adam Forde was forced to improvise with his lineup, naming players such as Lachlan Barker and Mojave King—both of whom had barely featured in scouting reports a week earlier.
“King had flashes of brilliance, but the game showed how resourceful Forde had to be to keep his team competitive.”
Despite the obstacles, Forde’s side stayed within a single possession until halftime, displaying discipline and tough defense. Whatever adjustments or motivation Tatum provided during the break, the Hawks came out firing in the third quarter, stretching their advantage to double digits by the final break.
Author’s summary
Will Hickey’s triple-double powered the Illawarra Hawks back into title contention, marking a decisive momentum shift in their NBL26 campaign.
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