The 2025 NBL season has been building to an explosive climax, and now we’re locked in for a thrilling Championship Series between the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United! After an action-packed season, both teams are primed for an epic battle to claim the NBL title, and the energy is palpable.
Illawarra Hawks: A Historic Grand Final Push
The Illawarra Hawks are soaring into their first grand final in eight years with a record-breaking season under coach Justin Tatum. Finishing atop the ladder for the first time in club history with a 20-9 record, the Hawks have been unstoppable. Their semi-final victory over the South East Melbourne Phoenix, a dominant 126-96 win, showed how hungry they are for a second championship. Star player Trey Kell III was on fire, scoring 30 points in the semi-final and igniting the crowd. “When he gets going, we’re unstoppable,” said Tatum. The Hawks are ready to make history and bring the trophy back to Wollongong.
Melbourne United: Thrilling Playoff Victory
On the other side, Melbourne United made their own statement in a dramatic 113-112 win over the Perth Wildcats. In a high-scoring thriller, Ian Clark (38 points) and Chris Goulding (30 points) led United to victory, but it wasn’t without controversy. With the game tied in the final moments, Goulding was fouled with 0.8 seconds left, sinking the game-winning free throw to seal their spot in the Championship Series. After six consecutive three-pointers from Goulding and a clutch 12-point third-quarter performance from Jack White, Melbourne’s resilience shone through. Now, they’ll face off against the Hawks in what promises to be a thrilling final.
The Championship Series Schedule
The battle for the 2025 NBL championship kicks off this Saturday. Here are the key dates and times for the Championship Series:
- Game 1: Saturday 8 March, Illawarra vs Melbourne, WIN Entertainment Centre, 8:00pm AEDT (ESPN)
- Game 2: Wednesday 12 March, Melbourne vs Illawarra, John Cain Arena, 7:30pm AEDT (ESPN)
- Game 3: Sunday 16 March, Illawarra vs Melbourne, WIN Entertainment Centre, 5:30pm AEDT (ESPN, 10 BOLD)
- Game 4 (if required): Wednesday 19 March, Melbourne vs Illawarra, John Cain Arena, 7:30pm AEDT (ESPN, 10 BOLD)
- Game 5 (if required): Sunday 23 March, Illawarra vs Melbourne, WIN Entertainment Centre, 2:30pm AEDT (ESPN, Channel 10)
Game On!
Get ready for the ultimate showdown! With the Hawks hungry for their second title and Melbourne United battling to add another championship to their impressive resume, the 2025 NBL Grand Final is set to be one for the ages.
