The South East Melbourne Phoenix won a high-octane offensive battle, defeating the Illawarra Hawks 124-113 on January 8, 2026. The Phoenix's relentless scoring attack proved too much for the Hawks, as they secured an 11-point victory in a game with minimal defensive resistance. South East Melbourne set the pace from the opening tip, scoring at will in transition and from beyond the arc to build a substantial lead. Illawarra fought hard to keep pace, with their own offense performing well, but they could never string together enough stops to seriously threaten the Phoenix's lead. The record-breaking three-point shooting display from South East Melbourne was the match's focus, as they rained in shots from deep all night. This win reinforced the Phoenix's identity as the NBL's most explosive and entertaining offensive team.