Phoenix Rally to Force Decider Against Hawks in Playoff Series

WOLLONGONG, Australia — The South East Melbourne Phoenix forced a decisive Game 3 in their playoff series against the Illawarra Hawks with a 94-83 victory on Sunday. Despite their success, coach Josh King acknowledged there’s significant room for improvement as they prepare for the final showdown Wednesday night.

In Game 2 at John Cain Arena, the Phoenix effectively made adjustments to stifle the Hawks’ offense, keeping them below 100 points and forcing 13 turnovers. Star players Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell III were limited, delivering a combined score of less than half their usual output.

“We found a way but that’s one thing we do have to clean up,” King said, referencing the team’s defensive lapses. While South East Melbourne excelled in some areas, they allowed Illawarra to the foul line 29 times and conceded 19 offensive rebounds. “We have to do a better job on the offensive glass, because that’s also where [Harvey] gets a lot of his looks too on kick-outs,” he continued.

Before the series began, analysts debated whether the Phoenix could keep the Hawks—who average 101.4 points per game—under their scoring average while forcing more turnovers than their usual 9.3 per game. Despite a disappointing Game 1, where the Hawks scored 101 points with only six turnovers, the Phoenix rose to the challenge in Game 2.

The pivotal shift came from South East Melbourne’s ability to score 19 points off turnovers and secure 18 fast break points—a crucial aspect that King emphasized was part of their game plan. “If they’re comfortable then they are the best team in the league so we don’t want that,” he noted on maintaining pressure.

Matt Hurt was particularly instrumental in the Game 2 win, scoring 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including four three-pointers. King reflected on Hurt’s previous performance where he only managed six attempts. “Matt was tremendous and he’s a guy that when he gets it going, he’s one of the best players in the league for a reason,” King stated. “He plays well we’re tough to beat, but we also had several guys tonight that stepped up.”

The upcoming Game 3 at WIN Entertainment Centre, set for Wednesday night, presents a critical moment for both teams. The game will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. AEDT on ESPN.