Hawks vow to 'fight through the turmoil'

With three rounds and five games remaining of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season, it is officially must-win time for reigning champions Illawarra.

The Hawks, who currently sit in eighth with a 10-18 record, are the first to admit their championships defence has been tough, but aren’t giving up hope of reaching the Finals.

Star guard Will ‘Davo’ Hickey says his team have ‘struggled to find their identity’ after last year’s historic season.

“[When] you're on top of the mountain, you feel like nobody can stop you. You go from that to sort of down and out, first of all, and then now from down and out to struggling to find your identity again,” Hickey told the Illawarra Mercury.

"We're not delusional about it, but it's trying to find a balance between that, and that's something that I've been trying to work my way through.

"We don't want to walk away from this season like we could have left more out there, especially just because of how talented this team is. When we're good, we're really good, and we know it. It is just the consistency of sticking together and fighting through that turmoil.”

Will Hickey is a $294,000 guard in the NBL’s official fantasy game, Beat The Coach, presented by Choice Hotels. Take on Damon Lowery and Beat the Coach in any round of the NBL26 Season and you’ll receive an entry into the end-of-season $10,000 prize draw, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in Choice Hotels™ gift vouchers. Sign up to play now here.

Those five must-win games start with Thursday night’s home clash with ladder-leaders Adelaide, before clashes with New Zealand (away), Sydney (home), Melbourne (away) and Tasmania (away).

Thursday’s Round 20 fixture tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.

Read the full story here >> 'We're not delusional': Hawks star's emotional turmoil ahead of must-win game