Milton Doyle spoils Phoenix's bid for top two finish

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Milton Doyle detonated for 25 points as Melbourne United escaped a defiant South East Melbourne Phoenix 95-91 at John Cain Arena on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in their final NBL26 regular season clash.

The backcourt pairing of Doyle and Tyson Walker proved unstoppable when it mattered most, combining for 48 points and dropping a combined 10 threes. Doyle's explosive 25-point performance included five triples from 12 attempts, while Walker added 23 points and five assists, shooting an efficient 5-from-10 from deep.

With coach Dean Vickerman back at the helm after missing two games due to appendicitis, United displayed the desperation needed in their must-win scenario. The victory keeps alive their hopes of avoiding a Play-In Game against the Tasmania JackJumpers, with their fourth-place aspirations now dependent on Perth's result against Adelaide on Friday night.

"I remember walking into the timeout at three-quarter time and I was like, oh, this is a little bit like our season, right? Good start, solid through the second quarter, and then something happened to us in the third quarter, and then we finished strong," Vickerman said.

"So hopefully that’s where we’re at right now — that we finished the season strong. I thought we talked a lot about our confidence as a group and as individuals through the week, and resilience — things aren’t going to go right. They didn’t go right in that third quarter for that period.

"We stayed strong and stayed confident in the fourth quarter. It’s pleasing to have those moments and find a way through it."

Nathan Sobey produced an outstanding individual display for the Phoenix, finishing with 29 points and seven rebounds while shooting 5-from-8 from outside the arc. The MVP candidate spearheaded a remarkable 19-0 third quarter run that transformed United's 16-point lead into a 72-68 deficit heading into the final period.

However, Sobey's late opportunity to force overtime slipped away, allowing Doyle to secure the defensive rebound and ice the game from the charity stripe. The Phoenix received solid contributions from Wes Iwundu (17 points, four boards) and Ian Clark (14 points, two blocks), but couldn't maintain their third-quarter momentum.

"Shoot — a lot of credit to them," Phoenix head coach Josh King said.

"They brought the fight from the tip-off for more of the game than we did.

"We were really good in the third for the last five minutes when we went on that big run. When we went to a switching lineup that was good for us. But overall they dominated the game. They were more physical. They deserved to win the game.

"They kind of beat us at our own game a little bit — 20 offensive rebounds, especially in that first half. They came out the more hungry, more dominant team.

"I give my guys a lot of credit for fighting and coming back. At the end of the day we had a lot of good looks. JB had a wide open look in transition, Glover had a wide open look, we had Sobey downhill on his left hand to tie the game. We had our chances.

"But you’ve got to be better. You’ve got to play for more than five or 10 minutes at a certain level, and we didn’t play at a certain level to win this game tonight. Disappointed because we lost, but we finished third and now we’ll get ready for finals."

Melbourne's superior effort on the offensive glass ultimately decided the contest, with United collecting 20 offensive rebounds compared to Phoenix's nine. This disparity allowed United to attempt 11 more shots than their crosstown rivals, proving crucial in a four-point victory.

American Jesse Edwards dominated the paint with 17 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks on outstanding 8-from-11 shooting. His presence in the key complemented the perimeter excellence of Doyle and Walker, while Chris Goulding chipped in with 14 points to round out United's balanced offensive attack.

After surrendering 19 consecutive points in the third period, United's defensive adjustment proved masterful. They limited Phoenix to just 19 fourth-quarter points while scoring 27 of their own.

NBL Next Star Malique Lewis provided a defensive highlight for the Phoenix with a massive block on Doyle's drive late in the game, finishing with seven points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Defensive Player of the Year candidate John Brown III contributed 10 points and five offensive boards, but Phoenix struggled to generate their usual offensive rhythm, shooting 29-from-65 from the field.

The victory secures Melbourne United a 20-13 regular season record, setting up a fascinating scenario for Friday night's Perth vs Adelaide clash. Should the Wildcats lose by about 10 points, United would leap into fourth place due to superior percentage, avoiding the dreaded Play-In Game.

South East Melbourne Phoenix are now locked into third position with their 22-11 record, positioning them for a potential Throwdown rematch with United or a clash with Perth. Their third-place finish guarantees a shot at advancing straight to a Playoffs Series, providing valuable breathing room in their championship pursuit.

United's improved ball security proved another key factor, with Phoenix forcing just 13 turnovers - well below their season averages. This discipline, combined with their offensive rebounding dominance and clutch fourth-quarter execution, demonstrated the team's playoff readiness despite recent inconsistencies.

The Throwdown rivalry delivered another thrilling chapter, with both teams now focused on their respective playoff paths. United await their fate from Perth's Friday night result, while Phoenix prepare for their first finals campaign knowing they control their own destiny with home court advantage.

Melbourne's ability to respond after Phoenix's momentum-shifting third quarter run highlighted their championship mettle. With Vickerman back on the sideline and their dynamic backcourt firing, United have positioned themselves perfectly for a deep playoff run, regardless of whether they face Tasmania in a Play-In or Phoenix in another Throwdown.

Key Details

• Result: Melbourne United 95 def. South East Melbourne Phoenix 91
• When: Wednesday, 19th February 2026
• Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
• Attendance: 8,919
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Milton Doyle (Melbourne United) starred with 25 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 28 minutes.
• Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix) scored 29 points, and had seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 28 minutes.

What Happened

Melbourne United secured a hard-fought four-point victory in what proved to be one of the most entertaining contests of the NBL season. The lead changed hands 24 times throughout the contest, with United controlling proceedings for over 30 minutes compared to Phoenix's seven minutes in front. The opening quarter saw United establish a 10-point advantage at 33-23, but Phoenix responded with renewed energy to keep the margin manageable at halftime, trailing 52-42.

The third quarter belonged entirely to the visitors as Phoenix unleashed a dominant 30-16 period to wrestle control of the contest. Their 11-point swing turned a 10-point deficit into a one-point advantage heading into the final stanza at 72-68. The momentum shift was comprehensive, with Phoenix shooting efficiently from deep while United struggled to find their offensive rhythm during the crucial third period.

Nathan Sobey was exceptional for Phoenix throughout the contest, leading all scorers with 29 points on outstanding 9-from-15 shooting from the field. His three-point accuracy proved crucial, connecting on 5-from-8 attempts from beyond the arc while converting 6-from-7 at the charity stripe. Sobey's 60% field goal efficiency kept Phoenix competitive despite trailing for most of the contest, while his leadership in the third quarter turnaround was instrumental in giving his team a genuine chance at victory.

Melbourne United's offensive attack was well-balanced with multiple contributors stepping up when required. Milton Doyle provided 25 points on efficient 8-from-17 shooting, including a solid 5-from-12 from downtown, while Tyson Walker added 23 points with five triples. Jesse Edwards dominated the paint with 17 points on outstanding 8-from-11 shooting, adding 11 rebounds in a dominant double-double performance. Chris Goulding chipped in 14 points despite shooting just 25% from three-point range.

United's superior rebounding proved decisive in the final analysis, out-boarding Phoenix 50-33 with Edwards and Tanner Krebs combining for 21 boards. The hosts also dominated the offensive glass with a 20-9 advantage, generating crucial second-chance opportunities that helped offset Phoenix's superior three-point shooting. Both teams shot identical 44.6% from the field, but United's 14-from-37 three-point performance (37.8%) marginally edged Phoenix's 11-from-29 effort (37.9%).