The Run Home: Can your team play Finals?

There are only three rounds remaining in the NBL26 regular season and the race to the Hungry Jack’s NBL Finals has reached fever pitch.

It’s going to be a hectic run home as we play 20 games across the schedule’s final three weekends, and the big question is: who will make the top six?

As eight of the league’s teams remain ‘mathematical’ chances, anything can happen. But there's no denying the teams currently in the top six are very much in the box seat.

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As we enter the final phase of the regular season, here’s a look at where each team currently stands in the race for the post-season.

LAST UPDATED: Monday, February 2 (before Round 20)

1^st  – ADELAIDE 36ERS

Record: 21-8 (finals spot clinched)

Percentage: 105.95

Remaining games: @ Illawarra, @ Melbourne, vs New Zealand and @ Perth.

State of play: League-leaders the 36ers are currently is the midst of their worst stretch of NBL26, having lost four of their past six contests following Saturday's defeat to South East Melbourne. An important clash in Wollongong against the reigning champions awaits the 36ers next, who just have four games to regain their 'mojo' before the post-season.

Key game/s: Three of the 36ers' final four games are on the road, with clashes against fellow heavyweights Melbourne and Perth looming as pivotal.

2^rd – SYDNEY KINGS

Record: 20-9

Percentage: 111.32

Remaining games: @ South East Melbourne, @ Illawarra, vs Perth and @ Brisbane.

State of play: Sydney has won 13 of its past 15 games and arguably the hottest team in the league right now. With Xavier Cooks and Matthew Dellavedova back from injuries and MVP contender Kendric Davis firing on all cylinders, the Kings are firming as one of the competition's true contenders.

Key game/s: Of their final four games, the two that stand out are Round 20 at South East Melbourne, which could determine who finishes in the top two, and Round 21 against Perth, which will have massive Finals ramifications for both clubs.

3^nd – SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX

Record: 20-9

Percentage: 109.23

Remaining games: @ New Zealand, vs Sydney, vs Tasmania and @ Melbourne.

State of play: South East Melbourne is one of the hottest teams in the league, fresh off a big win over leaders Adelaide. Josh King's side seem to building nicely and appear set for a deep Finals run.

Key game/s: Winners of seven of their past nine games and pressing hard for top spot, the clash Sydney looms as a key fixture.

4^th – MELBOURNE UNITED

Record: 18-11

Percentage: 105.82

Remaining games: vs Adelaide, @ Cairns, vs Illawarra and vs South East Melbourne.

State of play: After rattling off three straight wins, United lost a tough one to New Zealand on Friday night, which could come back to bite their top four chances.

Key game/s: After eight games (4-4) away from John Cain Arena, United plays three of their final four games on their home court.

‍5^th – PERTH WILDCATS

Record: 18-11

Percentage: 105.15

Remaining games: vs Cairns, vs Brisbane, @ Sydney and vs Adelaide.

State of play: After winning both of their Round 19 fixtures, John Rillie's side has been victorious in seven of their past eight games and are now well and truly knocking on the door of the top four.

Key game/s: Anytime Bryce Cotton and the 36ers play in Perth, it's now a must-watch. The other key game to keep an eye on is their Round 21 road trip to Qudos Bank Arena to face the Kings.

6^th – TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

Record: 13-17

Percentage: 99.77

Remaining games: vs Brisbane, @ South East Melbourne and vs Illawarra.

State of play: Sunday’s win over New Zealand was massive for the JackJumpers, who now sit two wins clear of the chasing Breakers and Hawks for sixth spot.

Key game/s: The final round clash with Illawarra could prove to be pivotal if the JackJumpers fail to take care of business in their earlier games.

7^th – NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS

Record: 17-18

Percentage: 98.35

Remaining games: vs South East Melbourne, vs Illawarra, @ Adelaide and vs Cairns.

‍State of play: After producing a huge performance to defeat United on Friday, the Breakers’ post-season hopes took a big hit by losing to Tasmania on Sunday.

Key game/s: The Breakers need to win all four of their remaining games, especially their February 7 fixture with fellow Finals hopeful Illawarra.

8^th – ILLAWARRA HAWKS

Record: 10-18

Percentage: 94.96

Remaining games: vs Adelaide, @ New Zealand, vs Sydney, @ Melbourne and @ Tasmania.

State of play: The Hawks’ championship defence hangs by a thread after Round 19 losses to Sydney and Perth.

Key game/s: While the reigning champions have one of the toughest schedules remaining, the final round clash in Tasmania could be the fixture that determines who claims sixth spot.

9^th – CAIRNS TAIPANS

Record: 8-21

Percentage: 85.82

Remaining games: @ Perth, @ Brisbane, vs Melbourne and @ New Zealand.

State of play: Despite courageously defeating Tasmania on Friday night, Sunday’s defeat at the hands of the Sydney Kings saw the Taipans eliminated from Finals contention.

Key game/s: Every single game to try and finish this campaign on a high note.

10^th – BRISBANE BULLETS

Record: 6-23

Percentage: 86.59

Remaining games:  @ Tasmania, vs Cairns, @ Perth and vs Sydney.

State of play: The injury-plagued Bullets have lost 16 of their past 17 games and are officially one of two teams out of contention for the NBL26 Finals.

Key game/s: Every single game to try and finish this campaign on a high note.

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