15
Feb
Snap Recap
McGee return puts dent in United's top 4 hopes
JaVale McGee of the Hawks handles the ball against Finn Delany of United during the round 21 NBL match between Melbourne United and Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena, on February 15, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
United's struggled without Kiwi international Shea Ili continue after home loss to Illawarra
- 2025-26 NBL Team Lists and Roster Tracker
- How to watch every NBL game in the 2025-26 season
- Interactive and live NBL Scores and Schedule here
A dominant return from three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee has propelled the Illawarra Hawks to a bounce back victory after a 100-91 win over Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.
McGee, who missed Illawarra's blowout loss to rivals the Sydney Kings on Friday night, could not be stopped inside the paint - making light work of Melbourne Dutch import big man Jesse Edwards.
The result is a significant blow to United's chances of making their way into the top four, sitting just one win behind the Perth Wildcats, and home court advantage in a play-in match-up.
It also marks the return of the inconsistent United after earning a road victory over the Cairns Taipans earlier in the round but have struggled without star New Zealand guard Shea Ili. The Hawks' defence also did a job on sharpshooter Chris Goulding with the NBL legend finishing the game with just six points.
It's too little, too late for the defending champions though with the Hawks unable to fight their way into sixth spot.
Key Details
- Result: Illawarra Hawks 100 def. Melbourne United 91
- When: Saturday, 15th February 2026
- Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
- Standings: Illawarra Hawks | Melbourne United
By the Numbers
- JaVale McGee (Illawarra Hawks) dominated with 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal in 24 minutes.
- Tyson Walker (Melbourne United) scored 30 points, and had three rebounds, four assists and two steals in 29 minutes.
What Happened
The Hawks established early control, outscoring United 29-24 in the opening quarter before maintaining their advantage throughout the contest. Illawarra's balanced offensive attack and superior shooting efficiency proved decisive as they led for over 32 minutes of the 40-minute contest. United managed to keep pace through the first three quarters, but a dominant fourth-quarter performance from the Hawks sealed the victory.
McGee's presence in the paint was the defining factor, as the veteran centre shot an efficient 8-from-12 from the field while cleaning the glass with authority. His 66.6% field goal percentage anchored Illawarra's stellar team shooting display, with the Hawks connecting on 35-from-67 attempts for 52.2% from the field. Todd Blanchfield provided crucial support with 11 points on outstanding 4-from-6 shooting, including 3-from-4 from downtown.
Walker kept United competitive with an explosive 30-point outburst, but his 8-from-19 shooting highlighted the home team's offensive struggles. Milton Doyle contributed 21 points and six assists in a solid supporting role, shooting 8-from-15 from the field. However, United's 36.2% field goal percentage and poor 35.3% three-point shooting proved costly against Illawarra's efficient attack.
The Hawks' superior ball movement and court vision created numerous scoring opportunities, with the visitors recording 17 assists compared to United's 19. William Hickey provided a crucial spark off the bench with 13 points on exceptional 6-from-8 shooting, while Tyler Harvey added 18 points despite shooting struggles from beyond the arc. Illawarra's ability to convert second-chance opportunities, outrebounding United 48-38, further extended their advantage.
The Hawks' balanced scoring attack, with four players reaching double digits, proved too much for United.
