Magnificent 7: Biggest must-see games of NBL26

• Listed: All 165 games of the 2025-26 NBL season
• HoopsFest 2026 will include five NBL26 regular season games in 2026‍
• 2025-26 NBL Team Lists and Roster Tracker

Bryce Cotton vs Perth Wildcats

Who would have thought Bryce Cotton would ever be on the same court as the Perth Wildcats but as an opponent?

After arguably the biggest free agency signing in NBL history, the five-time MVP will take on the team he won three titles with and spent nine seasons with for the first time at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday, November 9.

It will be the first time Cotton will line-up against the likes of Jesse Wagstaff and other teammates and this time, the 36ers fans will be on his side for a change.

Cotton's return to The Jungle

They cheered him on for the best part of a decade but the Red Army will see Bryce Cotton in action as an opponent fir the first time at RAC Arena in Round 8 on December 7.

His return to Perth will come almost a month after his first clash against the Wildcats but after so much controversy surrounding his move to Adelaide in the offseason, including The West Australian labelling him as 'The Lying King', what will be the response from Wildcats fans when Cotton hits the court in a 36ers uniform.

RAC Arena is a place where Cotton has produced some of the most iconic moments in NBL history — from his memorable moment with Corey 'Homicide' Williams in commentary, to dominant performances in the championship series and eclipsing the 50-point mark against the New Zealand Breakers last season.

Now his return will be one of the most anticipated returns in the history of the league.

Kendric Davis vs Adelaide 36ers

Kendric Davis made a name for himself in the NBL with the Adelaide 36ers, finishing runner-up to Bryce Cotton in the MVP voting. And while the 36ers wanted Davis back, with some conflicting reports from both parties about how his contract situation went down, he made the big switch to the Sydney Kings to partner with Matthew Dellavedova in the backcourt for Brian Goorjian.

Adelaide might have gone one better, securing the services if the five-time MVP in Cotton, who went head-to-head with Davis in epic match-ups when the 36ers and Perth Wildcats met last season.

But on Saturday, October 11 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre at 7.30pm, it will be Davis who heads into enemy territory with new teammates, including Dellavedova and Xavier Cooks to try and take down Cotton and his former running mates in Montrezl Harrell and Dejan Vasiljevic. Fireworks are guaranteed!

Grand Final rematch: Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United

After a blockbuster five-game series to decide the NBL25 championship, the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United will do it all again at the place where the series ended at the WIN Entertainment Centre on November 5.

The Hawks would have already hung up their second championship banner but it will be two different rosters going at each other this season in the grand final rematch.

Illawarra are expected to make some minor adjustments to their roster for the upcoming season, while Melbourne have completely transformed their team following the departure of Matthew Dellavedova and addition of Tasmania JackJumpers star Milton Doyle.

And while they will be different outfits this season, the core of United, led by coach Dean Vickerman and superstar Chris Goulding will be looking for some revenge.

The Throwdown is back!

Round 1 will see another edition of The Throwdown rivalry between Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix.

In its short history, the rivalry between the Melbourne teams have produced some iconic moments — enter Mitch Creek's thunderous poster on Matthew Dellavedova -and the teams will have the chance to add to that on Thursday, September 25 at John Cain Arena.

Add to it, last season's rejuvenation of the Phoenix under Josh King and Melbourne United hellbent on going one step further than last season and this will be one contest to watch to start the season.

Delly back at John Cain Arena

He spent three seasons with United, including two runs to the championship series, and while they missed out on both championships during his time in Melbourne, Matthew Dellavedova was a fan favourite at John Cain Arena.

It's why he headlines another major return this upcoming season when he dons the Sydney Kings jersey against United in Melbourne for the first time.

But surprisingly, the contest will be on a Monday night on November 3 from 7.30pm. A unique piece of scheduling for such a big game but there's no doubt the United fans will turn up to see the Australian basketball legend take on his former team.

Forde leading the Taipans into Sunshine Stoush

We thought he was gone but Adam Forde is back at the helm of the Cairns Taipans and following reports of private ownership taking over the NBL club, he may have some more resources at his disposal than he previously had in North Queensland.

Forde's first game back in charge of the Taipans will be when they host their Queensland rivals, in the Brisbane Bullets, at the Cairns Convention Centre.

We don't even need to go through what has happened, some things may include Forde himself, but the Sunshine Stoush has been known to be... spicy! And September 26 will be no different.