The Run Home: Can your team play Finals?

There is only one round remaining in the NBL26 regular season and the race to the Hungry Jack’s NBL Finals has reached fever pitch.

It’s going to be a hectic run home as we play five games across the schedule’s final weekend, and the big question is: where will everyone finish?

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As we enter the final phase of the regular season, here’s a look at where each team currently stands in the race for the post-season.

QUALIFIED FOR FINALS: Sydney, Adelaide, South East Melbourne, Perth, Melbourne, Tasmania
ELIMINATED: New Zealand, Illawarra, Cairns, Brisbane

LAST UPDATED: Monday, February 16 (before Round 22)

1^st– SYDNEY KINGS

Record: 23-9 (Finals spot clinched)

Percentage: 112.74

Remaining games: @ Brisbane.

State of play: Sydney has won 16 of its past 18 games (including 10 straight) and is arguably the hottest team in the league right now. The equation is simple for Brian Goorjian’s side: win on Friday and finish on top of the ladder at the end of the regular season.

2^nd  – ADELAIDE 36ERS

Record: 23-9 (Finals spot clinched)

Percentage: 105.85

Remaining games: @ Perth.

State of play: Adelaide continued its mini-resurgence, fighting back to defeat New Zealand on Saturday. But due to their recent poor stretch, Sydney is now in the box seat to finish first. The 36ers need to win to ensure a top-two spot, and if they do, and the Kings lose, they can leapfrog Brian Goorjian’s side into first. Otherwise, Mike Wells’ side will have to settle for second.

3^nrd – SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX

Record: 212-10 (Finals spot clinched)

Percentage: 109.00

Remaining games: @ Melbourne.

State of play: South East Melbourne’s top-two hopes are still alive after Saturday’s win over Tasmania. Now they have to defeat Melbourne in Thursday’s Throwdown and hope Adelaide loses in Perth. If that eventuates, Josh King’s side will finish in second. There is also an outside chance of them claiming top spot, which also involves the Kings losing to Brisbane and overcoming a large percentage deficit.

‍4^th – PERTH WILDCATS

Record: 20-12 (Finals spot clinched)

Percentage: 105.21

Remaining games: vs Adelaide.

State of play: After splitting the weekend’s games against Brisbane and Sydney (and Melbourne losing to Illawarra), the Wildcats are in the box seat to finish in fourth spot. The equation is simple for them: win and claim fourth, lose and hope United doesn’t overcome the percentage difference against South East Melbourne.

5^th – MELBOURNE UNITED

Record: 19-13 (Finals spot clinched)

Percentage: 104.69

Remaining games: vs South East Melbourne.

State of play: Despite defeating Cairns on Thursday, Sunday’s loss to Illawarra hurt United’s top-four chances. They now need to defeat South East Melbourne on Thursday and hope Adelaide overcomes Perth, to have any chance of finishing in the top-four.

6^th – TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

Record: 14-18 (Finals spot clinched)

Percentage: 100.79

Remaining games: vs Illawarra.

State of play: Despite losing to South East Melbourne, Tasmania is now locked into the top six, following Illawarra and New Zealand’s respective losses in Round 21. Regardless if they win or lose against the Hawks on Wednesday, the JackJumpers will finish in sixth place and take on fifth in the Play-In Qualifier.

7^th – NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS

Record: 12-20(Eliminated from Finals contention)

Percentage: 97.75

Remaining games: vs Cairns.

‍State of play: New Zealand won’t be playing in the NBL26 Finals this season, but do have this Sunday’s historic Ignite Cup Final against Adelaide to look forward to.

8^th – ILLAWARRA HAWKS

Record: 12-20 (Eliminated from Finals contention)

Percentage: 94.77

Remaining games: @ Tasmania.

State of play: The Hawks’ championship defence has just one game remaining after being eliminated from Finals contention. A win over United, and potentially Tasmania on Wednesday, would finish a tough season on a high note.

9^th – CAIRNS TAIPANS

Record: 9-23 (Eliminated from Finals contention)

Percentage: 86.72

Remaining games: @ New Zealand.

State of play: Cairns was gallant in its Round 21 fixture against Melbourne, before ultimately losing. It’s all about building some momentum around marquee star Jack McVeigh, going into NBL27.

10^th – BRISBANE BULLETS

Record: 6-26 (Eliminated from Finals contention)

Percentage: 85.51

Remaining games: vs Sydney.

State of play: The injury-plagued Bullets have lost 19 of their past 20 games and are now focused on finishing this season on a high when they host Sydney on Friday night.

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