Triple Threat Propels Illawarra Hawks to Victory
The Illawarra Hawks continued their surge toward championship contention with a commanding 107-90 road win over the Cairns Taipans. The team's success was led by a remarkable triple-double from Will "Davo" Hickey, steady shooting from QJ Peterson, and dominant inside play by JaVale McGee.
Key Player Performances
- Will Hickey recorded the NBL’s first triple-double of the season with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday.
- QJ Peterson contributed 22 points, hitting four of six from beyond the arc.
- JaVale McGee showcased his inside presence with 28 points, six rebounds, and two assists, shooting an impressive 12-of-13 from the field.
Coach’s Praise for Team Effort
"Our performance was really strong, especially coming off Wednesday playing at a high level and we didn't want to drop that intensity," said Hawks coach Justin Tatum. "We understand that Cairns is short-manned and our mentality was to keep coming and putting pressure on them as much as we can, and I loved the effort the guys came out and played with."
"They found ways to dominate and score in the paint and make it tough for Cairns."
Context and Recent Form
McGee entered the game fresh from a career-best performance on Wednesday, contributing 37 points and 14 rebounds in the Hawks’ home win over the reigning champions. Meanwhile, the Cairns Taipans had just ended a losing streak in Tasmania the previous Saturday but struggled to contain Illawarra’s aggression.
Author's summary: A potent combination of playmaking, hot shooting, and inside dominance fueled the Hawks’ strong road win, highlighting their growing momentum in the NBL season.