How to watch & talking points: Brisbane v Illawarra

25 Sep 2026

Arnas Velička and the Bullets host a Hawks side searching for a response under Justin Tatum.

By

NBL.com.au

Brisbane Bullets v Illawarra Hawks
Friday, September 25, 7.30pm AEST
Brisbane Entertainment Centre

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How to watch

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Tickets

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Rosters

Brisbane

Expected depth chart:
PG: Velička (IP) / Norton / Duach (DP)
SG: Mackinnon / Murray (out) / Bruton (DP)
SF: Hinton (IP) / McDaniel (out) / McRae (DP)
PF: Williams (IP) / Mayen / Rouhliadeff
C: Harrison / Holt / Woodhill (NRP)

Illawarra

Expected depth chart:
PG: M.Doyle (IP) / Hickey / Adnam (NRP)
SG: Harvey / Narkle
SF: Swaka Lo Buluk / Grida (out) / Blanchfield / Patterson (IP/NRP)
PF: Martin (IP) / Days (IP) / A.Doyle (DP) / McGregor (DP)
C: Froling / Peatling / Macdonald (DP)

Missing in action

Brisbane

Sam McDaniel - Hand - Round 4
Taine Murray - Lower limb - Round 4-6

Illawarra

Dan Grida - Calf - TBC

>> View full injury list

Talking points

Watch the records

Arnas Velička lived up to the hype in his first game in a Bullets jersey, dishing out 14 assists on the way to a big home win.

The Lithuanian point guard took over in the third quarter, knocking down big shots and finding teammates in key positions.

Former MVP Derek Rucker holds the record for assists per game at 10.6, albeit in the 48-minute era. It's a mark many thought would be impossible to approach in the modern game, but Velička might be just the type of guard to get close.

Tatum's response

History tells us Justin Tatum always finds a way to get his team to respond after a disappointing result, and the Hawks' season opener in New Zealand was a tough watch.

While there have been some changes to the roster in recent days, Tatum will lean on leaders Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling to set the tone and get Illawarra's season up and running.

With Milton Doyle still finding his role on a new team, the Hawks have more than enough talent to be competitive, but can they get going in this one?