How to watch & talking points: Illawarra v Adelaide

01 Feb 2026

illawarra hawks

adelaide36ers

Reigning champions Illawarra host leaders Adelaide on Thursday night, in a must-win clash for both sides.

Illawarra Hawks (8th) v Adelaide 36es 1st)
Thursday, February 5, 7.30pm AEDT
WIN Entertainment Centre

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Talking points

Last chance to dance
The Hawks are still a chance to make an unlikely Finals berth, but their two losses last round have certainly hurt them and has made this game a must-win.

The positive for Justin Tatum's team is that they are playing an Adelaide team who has been underwhelming in the last six games and perhaps they smell blood in the water.

If the last two seasons have taught us anything, it's that Tatum certainly knows how to motivate his team when their backs are against the wall.

Shut out the noise
The best way for the Adelaide 36ers to put a stop to all the noise is to simply win.

Whether that is in regards to their poor form or their headlines in the media this week, DJ Vasiljevic says they simply need to come out and play their best basketball and that will fade away.

Having lost four of their last six, they now travel to Illawarra to try and get back on track.

Otherwise, a loss to the Hawks and to Melbourne United Saturday may see them drop out of the top two altogether.

What they're saying

Hawks guard Will Hickey on his side struggling to find their identity:
“[When] you're on top of the mountain, you feel like nobody can stop you. You go from that to sort of down and out, first of all, and then now from down and out to struggling to find your identity again.

"We're not delusional about it, but it's trying to find a balance between that, and that's something that I've been trying to work my way through.

"We don't want to walk away from this season like we could have left more out there, especially just because of how talented this team is. When we're good, we're really good, and we know it. It is just the consistency of sticking together and fighting through that turmoil.”

36ers sharpshoter Dejan Vasiljevic on playing against the Hawks:
“Illawarra are the reigning champs. I still classify them as one of the best teams in the league.

“When you’ve got pretty much 70 per cent of your roster from last year who had that championship experience, and Justin Tatum is a great coach and obviously [they’ve been] unlucky this year with a couple of the games.

“But they’re fighting for their lives and every time someone fights for their lives they’re always going to be playing Adelaide next, so we’re going to get their best shot.

“We’ve got to come prepared. Wollongong is not an easy place [to play]. They play really good at home.

“You saw last game what they did to Perth. They nearly got there but just lost so I know they’re going to be pumped.”