The Illawarra Hawks survived a late scare to defeat the Tasmania JackJumpers 92-90 in a New Year's Eve thriller on December 31, 2025. In a back-and-forth contest, the Hawks made the necessary plays in the final minute to secure a narrow two-point home win. Tasmania fought back from a double-digit deficit in the second half, even taking a brief lead, but Illawarra's star guard answered with a clutch basket to retake the lead for good. The JackJumpers had a chance to tie or win on the final possession, but a well-defended shot attempt rimmed out. The high-scoring duel between the teams' leading guards was the match's focus point, providing fireworks for the holiday crowd. This vital victory provided a boost for the Hawks' playoff aspirations as they moved into the new year.