Melbourne United took a big step towards their first NBL title since 2021, beating Illawarra 83-77 in Game 3 of the NBL Championship Series on Sunday. With this win, Melbourne now leads the series 2-1 and has a chance to win the title on their home floor in Game 4.
Trey Kell III has exited the game following this incident.
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Tatum Fumes Over Injury Incident
Illawarra coach Justin Tatum was upset after the game, accusing Melbourne of taking advantage of a knee injury to his star guard Trey Kell III. Kell slipped while taking a shot late in the game and was hurt. While Kell was getting medical attention, United’s Matthew Dellavedova made three free throws, putting Melbourne up by six points. Tatum felt his team wasn’t given the same treatment when a Melbourne player was injured earlier. “We just wanted to make sure our player was okay,” Tatum said.
Key Performances and Moments
Jack White led Melbourne with 20 points, including two big three-pointers in the second half. Dellavedova also stepped up with 16 points and 11 assists, helping Melbourne keep control when it mattered most.
On the other hand, Illawarra’s guards, Kell and Tyler Harvey, who combined for 42 points in Game 2, were held to just 17 points in Game 3. Melbourne’s defense, especially from Dellavedova and Ian Clark, was key in shutting them down.
Hawks’ Bright Spots and Concerns
Illawarra had some bright moments, with Darius Days scoring 11 points. However, Kell’s injury is a big concern for the Hawks as they head to Melbourne for Game 4. They need a win to force a Game 5 and keep their title hopes alive.
Looking Ahead to Game 4
Melbourne is now just one win away from the title, and Illawarra will need to bounce back quickly in Game 4. Game 4 will be played on Wednesday 19 March at John Cain Arena, 7:30 pm AEDT.
