'Not panic stations' for reigning champs

The Illawarra Hawks' championship defence is off to a rough start through the opening three rounds, with Justin Tatum's troops currently sitting at 0-2 on the year.

But NBL expert and former Hawk Damon Lowery says it's not panic stations for the foundation club.

"As a self-proclaimed, unofficial spokesperson of the Hawks, there's no need to panic. We don't panic in the 'Gong," Lowery said on Monday's episode of NBL Overtime.

"We've got a couple of players out and when they come back — Davo Hickey, Sam Froling — things are going to be right again.

"Right now, what we're witnessing is only two games and a couple of guys are down on form, [not to mention] we have an import playing a role he was [not neceassrily] brought in to do.

"I feel like, when the troops come back and everyone goes back to their normal places, things will be fine."

Echoing Lowery's comments was fellow NBL expert Peter Hooley.

"It's not panic stations, just two games in," Hooley said.

"Funnily enough, people have been asking me if this was a championship hangover but I don't think that's something Justin Tatum would allow, so I'm completely ruling that out.

"This is just a team that needs to find its feet and [establish] role clarity."

The Hawks will look to record their first win of NBL26 on Wednesday night, when they travel to Spark Arena to face the New Zealand Breakers.

Tip-off is 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.