How to watch Adelaide v Illawarra: CODE Sports NBL Blitz

Two of the Championship favourites face off, as Adelaide takes on Illawarra at the CODE Sports NBL Blitz.

Both teams are missing some key names, but it's an early chance to test out rotations and the squad's depth for John Rillie and Justin Tatum.

Adelaide 36ers v Illawarra Hawks
Wednesday, August 27, 8pm AEST
AIS Arena, Canberra

How to watch‍

‍Watch every game live on Disney+ and Kayo.

How to follow

‍Live scores, stats and game highlights are available via the new and improved NBL App.

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Get tickets‍

Tickets are available via Ticketek.

NBL26 depth charts

Adelaide
Potential depth chart:
PG: Cotton (IP) / White / Rasmussen
SG: Vasiljevic / Harris / Brogan (DP)
SF: Cameron / Kenyon / D.Manyang (DP)
PF: Cheatham (IP) / Harrell (IP) / M.Manyang (DP) / Jones (NRP)
C: Humphries / Griscti

Illawarra
Potential depth chart:
‍PG: / Hickey / McDowell-White (DP)
SG: Harvey (IP) /  / Ball (DP)
SF: Swaka Lo Buluk / Blanchfield / Grida / Narkle (DP)
PF: Bolden / Peatling
C: McGee (IP) / H.Froling (NRP) / Yates (DP)

Missing in action

Adelaide will go into its first pre-season clash minus their biggest star, Bryce Cotton, who is out with a minor knee complaint.

Isaac Humphries and Matt Kenyon will also be missing, due to minor calf injuries, while Montrezl Harrell is completing his travels to Australia and will be seen later in the tournament.

For the Hawks, JaVale McGee is overcoming a bout of pneumonia and will be sidelined for the Blitz, while Sam Froling faces a longer stint out with his achilles injury. Mason Peatling is also out for game one.

Talking points

‍Champs are back
‍The reigning champs will be the hunted this year for the first time in over 20 years on their quest to try and win back-to-back titles.

Justin Tatum has key pieces of his winning core returning in Davo Hickey, Tyler Harvey and Wani Swaka-Lo-Buluk, but it’s all about what the new faces will bring this season.

Big man battle postponed
‍If you were hoping to tune into this game to see former NBA stars Montrezl Harrell and JaVale McGee battle it out, you’ll have to wait just a little bit longer.

Harrell recently finished up his time in the Big 3 and will begin his journey down to join Adelaide at some point during their time in Canberra, whereas McGee is also slated to arrive late as he recovers from pneumonia.

Zylan's back in the NBL
While Bryce Cotton has understandably attracted most of the headlines for his move in the off-season, it's easy to forget how influential Zylan Cheatham was for the New Zealand Breakers in his last NBL stint.

If not for a serious two-month foot injury, Cheatham was right in the mix for All-NBL First Team honours, and from all reports, he's training the house down in Adelaide.

Zylan is an excitement machine, so watch out for him this year!