{"id":910855,"date":"2026-09-30T09:50:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T09:50:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/910855\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T09:50:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T09:50:22","slug":"starting-5-nbl-set-to-ignite-rising-stars-and-undefeated-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/910855\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: NBL set to Ignite, rising stars and undefeated records"},"content":{"rendered":"

This nine-game slate features two Ignite Cup blockbusters, renewed rivalries and a long-awaited return home for Illawarra.<\/p>\n

>> WIN CASH WITH MEGA REWARDS TIPPING<\/a><\/p>\n

All the action tips off on Wednesday night with an Ignite Cup double-header from 5.30pm AEST, as New Zealand starts its title defence against\u00a0Cairns.<\/p>\n

Courtney Ward takes a look at some of the key storylines ahead of Round 3.<\/p>\n

>> Ignite Cup, NBL27: Schedule, tickets, rules & more<\/a><\/p>\n

The full schedule<\/p>\n

New Zealand Breakers v Cairns Taipans – Wednesday, September 30, 5.30pm AEST – Spark Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Sydney Kings v Brisbane Bullets – Wednesday, September 30, 7.30pm AEST – Afterpay Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United – Thursday, October 1, 7.30pm AEST – MyState Bank Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Illawarra Hawks v Adelaide 36ers – Friday, October 2, 7.30pm AEST – WIN Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix – Friday, October 2, 9.30pm AEST – RAC Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Brisbane Bullets v Tasmania JackJumpers – Saturday, October 3, 5.30pm AEST – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN, 9Go! and 9Now | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans – Saturday, October 3, 7.30pm AEST – John Cain Arena
Watch: ESPN, 9, 9Go! and 9Now | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Illawarra Hawks – Sunday, October 4, 3pm AEDT – John Cain Arena
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Adelaide 36ers v New Zealand Breakers – Sunday, October 4, 5pm AEDT – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: ESPN | Scores and stats: Game Centre<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Talking points
1 \u2013 Record-breaking Ignite Cup tips off<\/p>\n

\u200dAfter a sensational debut season during Hungry Jack’s NBL26, the Ignite Cup, presented by 7-Eleven, tips off on Wednesday as the defending champions New Zealand host Cairns at Spark Arena.<\/p>\n

With more money than ever before ($550,000), teams are more incentivised to win these games, as the results go towards both the regular season and in-season tournament standings.<\/p>\n

And with both the Breakers and Taipans sitting at 1-2 heading into the fixture, the pressure is starting to mount on the two sides to kickstart their campaigns.<\/p>\n

>>\u00a0Ignite Cup, NBL27: Schedule, tickets, rules & more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"2 \u2013 First test for undefeated duo<\/p>\n

The second game of the opening-night Ignite Cup double-header sees the Sydney Kings host the Brisbane Bullets at Afterpay Arena.<\/p>\n

The two sides remain the League’s only undefeated outfits, both sitting at 2-0, having easily accounted for Cairns and Illawarra, and New Zealand and Illawarra, respectively.<\/p>\n

Now the two early front-runners, led by their elite point guards Kendric Davis and Arnas Velicka, will face off in each side’s first real challenge.<\/p>\n

\"\"3 \u2013 No excuses for Hawks<\/p>\n

As coach Justin Tatum has commented, the Hawks have had a tough schedule to open the season, being on the road during the opening two rounds.<\/p>\n

Now, sitting in 10th with a 0-3 record, Illawarra finally returns to the WIN Entertainment Centre to play in front of its loyal ‘HawkHeads’.<\/p>\n

While the challenge in itself will be tough, with Adelaide rolling into town, at least the Hawks will be in a familiar environment as they look to chalk up their first win of the campaign.<\/p>\n

\"\"4 \u2013 Perth’s revenge game<\/p>\n

Despite a lack of point guards, the Perth Wildcats took care of business in Round 2, defeating both Adelaide and New Zealand at RAC Arena.<\/p>\n

They will look to make it three straight wins on their home court on Friday night against South East Melbourne, the only team to beat John Rillie’s side in NBL27.<\/p>\n

The key for the Wildcats, who are sweating on the fitness of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (calf), will be withstanding the Phoenix’s defensive pressure and guarding their three-point shooters, with South East Melbourne desperate to bounce back after last Thursday’s loss to Melbourne.<\/p>\n

\"\"5 \u2013 Rising stars ascend<\/p>\n

While the headlines have, rightfully so, been dominated by the League’s incredible guard crop, a number of the country’s local rising stars have been performing at a high level.<\/p>\n

From Perth duo Elijah Pepper and Anthony Dell’Orso to Brisbane’s Max Mackinnon and Tasmania’s Taran Armstrong, all have been crucial to their sides’ early-season success.<\/p>\n

These four, among others, have every chance to become the faces of the NBL in the coming seasons, so watch this space.<\/p>\n

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