From 42-point loss to heartbreak: Hawks show resilience in defeat to Adelaide
Heartbreak came for the Illawarra Hawks after a hard-fought 90-88 loss to the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday afternoon. Despite recently recording their equal-lowest score in franchise history, Illawarra delivered perhaps their best performance of NBL26.
With just 1.6 seconds remaining, Will "Davo" Hickey had two free throws to tie the game but missed both. Nevertheless, Hickey shone throughout the match, leading the team with 20 points while also adding nine rebounds, eight assists, and four blocks. He narrowly missed becoming just the second Indigenous player to post a triple-double, falling one rebound and two assists short.
The Hawks entered the game having not won in Adelaide for four years. Head coach Justin Tatum was pleased with his team’s effort, especially following a heavy 102-60 loss to the New Zealand Breakers two days earlier.
“I tip my hat off to my team for coming back and having so much resilience and fighting them today. They gave a great effort on both ends of the floor, just a little bit unlucky,” Tatum said. “If my team plays like this every game from now on with a full, healthy roster, we can beat anybody.”
Tatum expected a strong response after their tough loss in Wollongong and was heartened by the team's grit in Adelaide.
Author’s summary: Despite a narrow loss in Adelaide, the Illawarra Hawks showed remarkable resilience and strong individual performances signaling hope for future success.