How to watch & talking points: Sydney v Illawarra

Sydney Kings v Illawarra Hawks
Sunday, September 27, 6pm AEST
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How to watch

Watch every NBL27 game live on ESPN.

This game will also be live on 9Go and 9Now.

>> How to watch ESPN

Tickets

>> Ticketing information

How to follow & live scores

Live scores, stats, breaking news and game highlights are available via the free NBL App.

>> Visit Game Centre | Download the free NBL App

Rosters

Sydney

Expected depth chart:
PG: Davis (IP) / Johnston / Hanson (DP)
SG: Dellavedova / Robertson / Stone
‍SF: Craig (IP) / Maluach
PF: Cooks / Machar (DP) / Bofinger (NRP)
C: Carr (IP/NRP) / Wessels / Spurgin / Leaupepe (out)

Illawarra

Expected depth chart:
PG: M.Doyle (IP) / Hickey / Adnam (NRP)
SG: Harvey / Narkle
SF: Swaka Lo Buluk / Grida (out) / Blanchfield / Patterson (IP/NRP)
PF: Martin (IP) / Days (IP) / A.Doyle (DP) / McGregor (DP)
C: Froling / Peatling / Macdonald (DP)

Missing in action

Sydney

Keli Leaupepe - ACL - Season

Illawarra

Dan Grida - Calf - TBC

>> View full injury list

Talking points

New season, same rivalry

The last two seasons have been fascinating for the New South Wales rivalry. In NBL25, the Illawarra Hawks swept the Sydney Kings on their way to the championship. Last season, the tables turned, with the Kings winning all four meetings and going on to claim the title themselves.

Whatever the recent history, this fixture takes on extra meaning whenever the two sides meet with state bragging rights on the line. Tensions boil over, stars arrive with a point to prove, and coaches will try any tactic to win the first head-to-head of the season.

Soul-searching

The Illawarra Hawks have started the season 0-2, with losses to the New Zealand Breakers and the Brisbane Bullets, and their task doesn't get any easier here. The Sydney Kings would love nothing more than to inflict further pain on the Hawks, with Kendric Davis leading the charge.

Can Justin Tatum's men find the energy to rise to the occasion and stop the Kings in their tracks? Or will they be left soul-searching ahead of Round 3?