NBL unveils changes to Hawks' upcoming draw

The NBL announced on Friday the Illawarra Hawks' upcoming schedule for rounds 9-11 has been changed.

Brian Goorjian's team will still play the Taipans in Cairns on Saturday, January 29 (5.30pm AEDT) and the Breakers in Hobart on Wednesday, February 2 (7.30pm AEDT) as scheduled.

Instead of heading to Brisbane for a third straight road game on February 5, Illawarra will return home to start preparations for their first clash with South East Melbourne in NBL22 - with the match to be played on Monday, February 7 from 7.30pm AEDT at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

Three days later, the Hawks will head south again and take on the Phoenix again, from 7.30pm AEDT at John Cain Arena on Thursday, February 10.

The Hawks' busy round 11 schedule will wrap up on Saturday, February 12, when they host the Tasmania JackJumpers (instead of the previously slated Cairns) for the first time in NBL history, from 5.30pm AEDT at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

The NBL explained the main reason for these changes is due to the Western Australia border controls.

"The Perth Wildcats will remain on the road for the foreseeable future, with their planned home games at RAC Arena in early February postponed," an NBL spokesperson said.

"Perth will now play the South East Melbourne Phoenix in rounds 10 and 11 with both games to be played at John Cain Arena, meaning we had to tweak other upcoming fixtures accordingly."

Tickets for the Hawks' upcoming game against South East Melbourne are available via Ticketmaster.