FOR THE first time since they faced off in last year’s National Basketball League (NBL) Championship Series, Melbourne United will seek revenge on the Illawarra Hawks when the two sides go head-to-head in the Ignite Cup.

The Hawks will host the ladder-leaders for the first time since Illawarra claimed the 2024/25 title earlier in the year, although the two teams are in very different form coming into the clash. United sit atop the standings, and only suffered their first loss two days ago, while the Hawks have been struggling to reach the heights of their most recent campaign.

In one of the biggest matchups on the NBL calendar, the Championship Series rematch will have big ramifications on the context of the season, with both sides eager to get the job done at WIN Entertainment Centre tonight.

Illawarra Hawks vs. Melbourne United

WIN Entertainment Centre
Wednesday, November 5 @ 7:30pm

The Hawks have not been at the same level that won them the championship earlier in 2025, struggling to get wins on the board and sitting in 10th spot with just two wins to their name heading into tonight’s matchup against the team on the top of the standings.

There is no doubt that the Hawks will be hungry for victory after just missing out against the Adelaide 36ers by two points last weekend. Illawarra did look much better than previous outings in that encounter, largely due to the inclusion of William Hickey at the point guard position, an area in which the Hawks severely lacked.

One of the biggest battles tonight will be between JaVale McGee and Jesse Edwards in the frontcourt, and may prove decisive in determining the result of the match. Both are heavy hitters in the paint, and have been among the best performers this season, but if McGee can get back to his high-scoring best, it will be massive for Illawarra’s chances.

United were looking a true threat of winning all of their home and away matchups this season heading into Monday night’s clash against the Kings, before Sydney put an end to their winning streak at John Cain Arena in what was a tense encounter. Now, all eyes will be on how Melbourne responds, and there is no better stage than a rematch of last season’s decider.

One thing going against United is the short turnaround, with just 48 hours separating their two most recent outings. However, it can be seen as a positive as it gives Melbourne a quick chance to respond to the loss, and tonight’s visitors will be eager to get back on the winners’ list and reaffirm themselves as the most difficult matchup in the competition.

Monday night marked a quiet performance from Chris Goulding, with the veteran sharpshooter restricted to just 1/5 shooting from the field as he was well-guarded by the opposition. There is no doubting that the Hawks will be looking to be just as suffocating defensively, but if the United skipper can nail some long-range bombs, it typically bodes well for his team’s chances.