Match wrap: Sixers slip-up to Hawks in heartbreaker

The Illawarra Hawks stormed home late to snatch a 100-99 win over the Adelaide 36ers to stay in the race for NBL sixth position.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk's tip in, from the Hawks' third attempt on the possession with five seconds left on the clock, was the last to fall in Thursday's one-point win for the defending champions at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

The 36ers who needed to win to stay in top spot called a timeout but five-time MVP Bryce Cotton missed an open three-pointer, then Flynn Cameron's attempted put back after an offensive rebound was too heavy to see the Hawks escape.

Hawks sharpshooters Tyler Harvey and QJ Peterson had earlier led the final-quarter comeback, trading buckets with Cotton as they came from 16 points back to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Hawks had led early by 10 points before a 15-0 run by the 36ers run looked to have secured a confidence boosting win for the league leaders.

Championship winning co-captain Harvey, fresh off earning permanent Australian residency, wasn't done though.

He hit a season-best six triples in his 22 points while Peterson hit two of his three long-range makes down the stretch.

Davo Hickey was everywhere, sparking a string of turnovers in the final quarter that dragged the Hawks closer despite Cotton's sharp shooting.

It’s a big result in the context of the season for both teams with Illawarra improving to an 11-18 record as they attempt to chase down the sixth ranked Tasmania JackJumpers (13-17).

In his first game as an Australian resident, Harvey finished with 6/11 from deep with 22 points, three assists and two steals with Peterson hitting 3/7 from downtown for 13 points, three boards and three assists.

Hickey was tremendous with 22 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and four steals on 11/15 field goal shooting with Dan Grida adding 10 points, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 11 and JaVale McGee eight points on 3/13 shooting but a crucial 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

The 36ers now fall out of top spot for the first time since the start of December to slip to second place at 21-9 behind the South East Melbourne Phoenix on percentage and narrowly ahead of the Sydney Kings (20-9).

Cotton was made to earn all his 28 points with nine assists on 11/27 shooting and just two free-throw attempts while also having five of his team’s 16 turnovers.

Nick Rakocevic returned from a one-game suspension for 14 points and nine rebounds with fellow big man Isaac Humphries providing 14 points, four boards and three assists.

John Jenkins knocked down 4/7 from three-point range for 12 points with Flynn Cameron adding 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and Zylan Cheatham 10 points, 12 boards, seven assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Both teams back up quickly to play on Saturday with the Hawks first up on the road to the New Zealand Breakers before the 36ers are in action in Melbourne for United’s return to John Cain Arena.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – ROUND 20

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 100 (Harvey 22, Hickey 22, Peterson 13)

ADELAIDE 36ERS 99 (Cotton 28, Humphries 14, Rakocevic 14)

BOX SCORE