After a thrilling conclusion to the 2022-23 NBL regular season, the NBL Finals kick off this week with a series of exciting Play-in matches before the Playoffs series commence on Sunday.
We kick things off with a massive double-header of NBL action on Thursday night.
The South East Melbourne Phoenix host the Perth Wildcats in a sudden-death Play-In Qualifier at 6:30pm AEDT. It was a dramatic end to the season for the Wildcats who clinched their spot by a solitary point on Sunday after knocking off the top-placed Kings. That match will be followed by the Seeding Qualifier between the Cairns Taipans and Tasmania JackJumpers from 8:30pm AEDT.
From there, the winner of the Play-In advances to face the loser of the Seeding Qualifier who receives a second chance, to determine who plays the Sydney Kings in Series 2 of the Playoffs.
Meanwhile, the winner of Cairns and Tasmania will advance to Series 1 of the Playoffs against the New Zealand Breakers.
NBA23 Finals Schedule
Play-In Qualifier: Thursday 9 February
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Perth Wildcats, John Cain Arena, 6:30pm AEDT
Seeding Qualifier: Thursday 9 February
Cairns Taipans v Tasmania JackJumpers, Cairns Convention Centre, 8:30pm AEDT
Play-In Game: Sunday 12 February
Teams TBC, Venue TBC, 2:00pm AEDT
The Kings and Breakers are already awaiting their opponents in the Playoffs which will commence on Sunday February 12th.
The Playoffs are a best-of-three game series, with the Championship Series a best of five.
New Zealand Breakers vs Cairns or Tasmania
Game 1: Sunday 12 February
New Zealand Breakers v Cairns/Tasmania, Spark Arena, 4:00pm AEDT
Game 2: Thursday 16 February
Cairns/Tasmania v New Zealand Breakers, Venue TBC, 7:30pm AEDT
Game 3 (if required): Sunday 19 February
New Zealand Breakers v Cairns/Tasmania, Spark Arena, 2:00pm AEDT
Sydney Kings vs TBC
Game 1: Wednesday 15 February
Sydney Kings v TBC, Qudos Bank Arena, 7:30pm AEDT
Game 2: Friday 17 February
TBC v Sydney Kings, Venue TBC, Time TBC
Game 3 (if required): Sunday 19 February
Sydney Kings v TBC, Qudos Bank Arena, 4:00pm AEDT
