NOT one, but two upsets on Christmas Day meant that fans of the underdog teams felt fulfilled more than the traditional roast could do. Illawarra Hawks and South East Melbourne Phoenix caused boilover wins, downing title contenders, Sydney Kings and Tasmania JackJumpers respectively to remind fans that the NBL 2023/24 title race is wide open.

South East Melbourne Phoenix (85) defeated Tasmania JackJumpers (77)

In the first of the double-header Christmas Day fixtures, the Phoenix travelled down to MyState Bank arena coming off an earlier round loss against Cairns Taipans in Far North Queensland. There, the Phoenix had sunk to a 19-point defeat, while the JackJumpers handed out an 11-point win over Illawarra on the road on Saturday.

Back at home, the JackJumpers were tipped to maintain that momentum and remain in second spot on the ladder. However, the Phoenix had other ideas, piling on 19 points to 12 in the opening term. Much like Saturday night’s game between the Wildcats and United, it was not going to be a simple result however, as the home team hit back with a 28-20 second term to hit the front by a point.

Tasmania remained in front heading into the final quarter, and even held that narrow one-point lead with 2:06 on the clock. A Will Magnay dunk made it 77-76 after a nice assist from Jordan Crawford. When both Gary Browne and Matt Kenyon missed chances for the Phoenix shortly after, it looked like the JackJumpers would punish them.

Instead a critical steal from Kenyon to get the ball back saw him produce an individual effort and lay it up perfectly. Then, Anthony Drmic missed a three-pointer with 0:56 on the clock, and when Ben Ayre drained one to make it a two-possession game 20 seconds later, it was enough for the Phoenix, who scored the last nine points of the game to win, 85-77.

The combination of Browne (20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists) alongside Abdel Nader (20 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists) provided the key scoring for the Phoenix. Kenyon stepped up with 12 points and seven rebounds, while ‘The Big Sauce’ Alan Williams served up 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The JackJumper had Crawford grabbing eight rebounds, four assists and three steals to go with his 12 points – albeit at an inaccurate 23 per cent from the field – while the duo of Jack McVeigh (20 points, four rebounds and two assists) and Milton Doyle (18 points, five rebounds and two assists) tried hard throughout. Magnay came off the bench for an almost- double-double of eight points and 11 rebounds.

Illawarra Hawks (94) defeated Sydney Kings (90)

Arguably one of the biggest upsets of the season, Illawarra talked the talk pre-game then walked the walk against the reigning champions, knocking off Sydney Kings by four points at Qudos Bank Arena yesterday. In front of 8578 fans – though the Hawks argued they had the 21 million Australians outside of Sydney CBD barracking for them – the ninth placed team rolled past their top four opponents.

In what was another Christmas miracle and thriller, it looked unlikely to be the case early as the Kings raced out to a 12-point lead at quarter time. When DJ Hogg made a layup in the opening couple of minutes of the second quarter, the score read 35-17 and the danger signs were there that this was set to be a blowout in favour of the reigning champions.

Instead, somehow the Hawks found a way, scoring 29-13 over the last eight minutes of the second term to draw within two points having conceded the first six of that quarter. Sydney again picked up the lead in the third, opening up to as much as eight points with 5:14 on the clock as Hogg again drained a vital bucket – this time from outside the arc to make it 66-58.

Yet the Hawks kept coming, scoring 19-7 over the next five minutes to somehow head into the break with a four-point lead. It was made all the more remarkable that with a minute to go, Illawarra still trailed by a point, until Tyler Harvey hit a triple, and then assisted Sam Froling for a layup.

It remained neck-and-neck heading into the final minute after Kouat Noi made both free throws to tie the game at 90 points apiece. A clever turnaround jumper from Gary Clark put his side up by two points, then when Jaylen Adams missed a long-range opportunity, it was Justin Robinson who stepped up and made both free throws up the other end to seal the incredible 94-90 victory.

Froling led the way for the Hawks with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Clark (13 points, seven rebounds and three assists) and Harvey (15 points, four rebounds) were both strong. Robinson finished with 12 point, five assists and four rebounds in the win, as Lachlan Olbrich pulled down 10 rebounds to go with nine points, two assists, two steals and a block.

For the Kings, Adams’ 22 points – though only one of five from long-range – stood out, also managing five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Hogg had 15 points – albeit at 26 per cent – with just two of 11 draining from outside the arc. He finished with six rebounds and four assists.