IT IS a blockbuster instalment of the National Basketball League (NBL) Ignite Cup for the 2025/26 season tonight, when the Adelaide 36ers host the Illawarra Hawks in South Australia as two heavyweights of the competition collides.

It will be a matchup full of star power, headlined by a battle between the two MVP favourites in Bryce Cotton and JaVale McGee, which is certainly promising to be a battle within a battle at Adelaide Entertainment Centre tonight.

Both sides have staked their claim as championship contenders this season, with the reigning champions overcoming a slow start, while the Sixers have seriously benefited from the addition of Cotton over the offseason. It is sure to be a blockbuster match and could give a preview of the postseason action in the coming months.

Adelaide 36ers vs. Illawarra Hawks

Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Wednesday, November 19 @ 7:30pm

The Sixers have been one of the strongest teams in the competition this season, largely due to the acquisition of Cotton, who has been still at his best despite the change in scenery. Adelaide sits in second spot in the standings with a record of nine wins and three losses, and is one of the toughest matchups in the competition as it stands.

The Sixers have found success shooting the three ball, sitting second in the competition it 3PT percentage, making 34 per cent of their shots from long range. Much of this is due to waiting for good looks and showing patience on the offensive end. Also expect Adelaide to spend some time at the free throw line, as they sit in the top two for both free throws attempted and made in the NBL, with Cotton the main culprit here.

The battle between Cotton and McGee will not take place in a one-on-one matchup, given they are vastly different players, but it is evident that the five-time MVP has some serious competition for the league’s top gong. It would be quite a statement if the superstar guard could deliver a vintage performance and lead Adelaide to victory, subsequently firming as the outright favourite for the highest individual honour in the NBL.

The Hawks had a tough start to the season, struggling as they started their championship defence with some rough losses. The reigning champs even spent some time on the bottom of the ladder, despite being widely expected to be one of the title favourites once again following the addition of McGee over the off-season.

However, Illawarra has turned things around over the past month, and it was sparked by a breakthrough win over a Melbourne United side that had lost just one game. Since then, the Hawks have looked extremely dangerous, and have found success scoring the ball inside, with McGee helping this cause. One area they will need to be careful of is their turnovers, as they are the most careless side in the NBL in this area, and the Sixers can certainly score in transition, so Justin Tatum‘s men will need to be mindful.

Although much of the praise goes to McGee – and rightfully so given his sheer dominance on both sides of the ball – William Hickey returning to the lineup has been the key for Illawarra. The Boomers guard has been electric since coming back from injury, and even poured in a rare triple double in recent weeks. With Cotton set to lead at the one down the other end, expect Hickey to stuff the stat sheet and try and drag his side over the line.