“Anything can happen”: Tatum backs Hawks to reset

22 Nov 2025

illawarra hawks

Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum is confident his side can turn their NBL26 season around after the FIBA Break.

This time last year, heading into the FIBA Break, the Illawarra Hawks sat well and truly in the top four of the Hungry Jack's NBL ladder with a 7-4 record.

Fast forward 12 months and the reigning champions are eighth with a 4-9 record, following Friday night's tight last-gasp defeat to Melbourne.

While Justin Tatum’s side has dropped its past three games and isn’t where it wants to be at this point of the season, the coach believes the group can turn things around after a timely break.

"Anything can happen," Tatum said in the post-game press conference.

"When you're 4-9, you've got to take a look at something and see what's not working ahead of the second half of the season.

"We're nearly fully healthy, with tonight being JB's [Jonah Bolden] first game back, while Sam [Froling] is getting closer all the time.

"Our boys will now have a few days to rest and refresh their bodies before getting back in the lab and building momentum, because we all know it [the second half of the season] is going to be a challenge."

While Tatum admits the effort for the full 40 minutes was better against United than it was in Adelaide, he outlined which areas the Foundation Club need to address over the break.

"I'm proud of our guys' effort, especially in front of the home fans, but we need to find a way to finish off games," Tatum said.

"Giving up seven offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter makes it pretty tough to win games.

"[I'm also] disappointed with the forced turnovers. We had 15 going into the fourth quarter and that's just disturbing. Then we end up with 18.

"We came out [of a time out] as soon as we talked about turnovers and we turn the ball over which is frustrating.

"We have guys who can make shots at any time, but when we don't protect the ball better and stop allowing other teams more attempts than us, it makes it hard to win."