The NBL’s Christmas Day experiment was a resounding success as the Illawarra Hawks turned the tables on the Sydney Kings with a thrilling 94-90 victory at a packed Qudos Bank Arena.
Christmas frenzy
Record crowd: 8,578 fans turned out, surpassing last year’s attendance and proving that the concept of Christmas resonates with Australian audiences.
Taboo no more: Playing on Christmas Day was once unthinkable, but is now a viable option for Australian sport and could open the door for similar initiatives in other leagues.
The Big Bash League has taken notice, and the BBL could follow the NBL’s lead in offering fans an alternative festive sporting option to traditional Christmas fixtures.
Hawks soar, Kings stumble:
TATUM’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC: Interim coach Justin Tatum, father of NBA superstar Jayson Tatum, orchestrated a shocking loss to show off his coaching abilities.
HAWKS TURNAROUND: The Illawarra team showed impressive resilience by blasting 60 points in the second half after a sluggish first quarter.
HARVEY AND FROLING LEAD THE WAY: Tyler Harvey’s three-point shooting and Sam Froling’s dominance inside were key factors in the Hawks’ win.
Olbrich’s spark Young junior Lachlan Olbrich contributed great energy off the bench, grabbing 10 rebounds and frustrating the Kings’ defense.
Turmoil for the Kings Despite a good start, Sydney’s defense faltered, leading to their third loss in four games.
Road to recovery The Kings now face a crucial home game against the Taipans as they look to regain their footing before the New Year.
Christmas basketball in Australia has proven to be a popular game. With a festive atmosphere, great games and impressive attendance, it seems like a tradition worth keeping for years to come.