Match preview: Sixers hunting Hawks in Illawarra home opener

The Adelaide 36ers are back on the road, aiming to make it consecutive wins when they face Illawarra on Friday night.

But it won’t be an easy trip. The Hawks have come under immense pressure after being winless in their opening three games.

The Sixers have an impressive record against the Hawks, having won eight of their last nine against the NBL25 Champions, though they lost in their most recent in-season meeting after eight straight wins.

On that occasion, the Hawks, playing at home in Wollongong, came from nine points down at the final change to win by one point 100-99, with Sixer Bryce Cotton missing an open three-pointer, and Flynn Cameron unable to finish a put back after an offensive rebound.

It was a similar story when the sides met at the pre-season Code Sports Blitz with the Hawks' NBL27 signing Milton Doyle hitting a game winning three pointer to steal a 100-99 victory, coincidentally the exact same score.

The Sixers will be without Flynn Cameron for a third straight game, with the club confirming he will miss at least three games before his ankle injury is reassessed, while Isaac Humphries and Bul Kuol have not featured at all this season as they each manage knee injuries.

But they have had John Jenkins return after he missed the season opener against Melbourne United with a back complaint.

He says the side is wary of a Hawks outfit that is better than early results indicate.

“We played them in Bendigo a few weeks ago, so we’re kind of familiar,” Jenkins said.

“But I know this part of the season teams are still kind of figuring out which direction they’re going and so we need to be ready for anything and everything they might bring.

“It’s their first home game. I’m expecting a lot of energy and a good crowd, so we’ve got to lock in and prepare.

The 36ers will have a quick turnaround after Friday night’s game, flying home to host New Zealand on Sunday evening.

Both games will be available to watch on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+ while you can also listen to Sunday’s game on SEN SA through the Adelaide 36ers app.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS

WIN Entertainment Centre, Friday 2 October, 7:30pm AEST / 7:00pm ACST

Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL

Played 142, Adelaide 84, Illawarra 58

At WIN Entertainment Centre

Played 53, Adelaide 21, Illawarra 32

LAST FIVE MATCHES

*Sept 3, 2026 – Hawks 100 def 36ers 99 at Red Energy Arena, Bendigo (*Blitz)

Feb 5, 2026 – Hawks 100 def 36ers 99 at WIN Entertainment Centre

Dec 20, 2025 – 36ers 84 def Hawks 78 at WIN Entertainment Centre

Nov 19, 2025 – 36ers 97 def Hawks 85 at AEC

Nov 2, 2025 – 36ers 90 def Hawks 88 at AEC

*Aug 27, 2025 – 36ers 104 def Hawks 83 at AIS Arena, Canberra (*Blitz)

Jan 13, 2025 – 36ers 91 def Hawks 88 at AEC

KEY STATS

• Adelaide has won the second half in 11 of its last 12 away games after trailing at half-time.

• Adelaide has won seven of its last eight games against Illawarra.

• Illawarra has lost each of its last 10 games after trailing at quarter-time.

• Illawarra has lost each of its last three games.

• Heading into Round 3, Nick Rakocevic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (9.7) this season.

• Adelaide is +33 with Nick Rakocevic on the floor and -18 when he's off this season - the equal-best on/off split differential in the league heading into Round 3.

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