Three wins from history

Just three wins separate NBL Oz Gaming and history.

The expansion squad in the NBA 2K League has qualified for the best-of-five Finals series against Warriors Gaming Squad, with more than just a hefty pay check on the line.

Not only would the team take home at least $760k AUD in winnings, which equates to over $114k AUD per player, but they would also become the first ever international team to win the NBA 2K League Championship.

The series tips off on Sunday morning at 5:15am AEST.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In their first ever season, <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nblozgaming</a> are heading to the NBA 2KL 5v5 Finals????? <a href="https://t.co/hj8bELAXTQ">pic.twitter.com/hj8bELAXTQ</a></p>&mdash; NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague/status/1687614888602976256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

All of this comes after the squad was written off, overlooked, and doubted coming into its debut season.

A tight knit group of Melbourne guard Harry ‘HarryVZN’ Spierings, Gerald ‘Sick One’ Knapp, ‘Jyden’ McBath-Spencer, Frederick ‘DJayTooCold’ Payton, and Lawrence 'Lawrich' Mayberry have developed an unwavering chemistry to prove the offseason pundits wrong.

The team delivered in its Eastern Conference Finals victory over Knicks Gaming, taking them down 2-1 in the best-of-three series.

A 31-point explosion in the second quarter of the decisive game three was the catalyst for the 89-65 victory, as Sick One, Jyden and HarryVZN took over.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WE&#39;RE GOING TO THE <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA2KLEAGUE</a> FINAL ?<br><br>$760k on the line for <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> Oz Gaming tomorrow <a href="https://t.co/JunwIxsyYD">pic.twitter.com/JunwIxsyYD</a></p>&mdash; NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1687613267206615041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sick One posted 25 points and 9 rebounds in game 3, with Jyden also adding 25 points and 7 assists. HarryVZN’s playmaking was on full display with an 18-point, 15-assist triple-double.

NBL Oz Gaming won game one 70-69, before falling in game two 69-64.

The squad now turns its attention to the Finals against Warriors Gaming Squad, with game one tipping off at 5:15am AEST. The series will be streamed live on the NBA 2K League Twitch channel.