How to watch & talking points: Melbourne v Illawarra

18 Dec 2025

melbourne united

illawarra hawks

Melbourne United will be out to end a four-game losing streak when they host NBL champions lllawarra at John Cain Arena on Thursday.

Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks
Thursday, December 18, 7.30pm AEDT
John Cain Arena

How to watch‍

‍Watch every game live on ESPN.

>> How to watch ESPN

Tickets

>> Ticketing information

How to follow & live scores

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

>> Visit Game Centre | Download the free NBL App now

Talking points

Déjà vu?
In NBL23, Melbourne United dropped four straight games in the middle of the season and then had a matchup against the Hawks to avoid dropping a fifth.

Unfortunately, they fell to Illawarra in that game and the five-game losing streak was one of the worst in the club’s recent history.

Now, after dropping the last four games in NBL26, they face the Hawks again as they look to bounce back from a rough patch.

McGee vs Edwards, Round 3
They might be two of the biggest players in the league and the first two instalments between them have not disappointed.

While JaVale McGee might have won both battles from an individual perspective, him and Jesse Edwards have split the results thus far for their teams.

Both big men are ultra-important to their team's success and expect this game to be nothing less.

What they're saying

United forward Finn Delany on snapping their four-game losing streak:
“You know, whenever you have a string of losses, we've all been here before, it takes an inspired effort to get out of it.

“We need to be ourselves, a really good version of it, and come out with an inspired energy and effort to get a win in front of our home crowd.”

Hawks coach Justin Tatum on playing United:
“Going to Melbourne, with the championship mentality coach and players on that team, knowing what's not making them well right now, they're going to find a way to try to at least play hard come Thursday night.

"Nobody wants to lose, two, three, four, five in a row.

"I know it will be a difficult task for us but we have had success against Melbourne. Our confidence has always been good, so I expect the same on Thursday."