2026 NBL Finals
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| Country |  Australia | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | 4 March – 5 April | |||||||||
| Season | 2025–26 | |||||||||
| Teams | 6 | |||||||||
| Defending champions | Illawarra Hawks (did not qualify) | |||||||||
| MVP | Kendric Davis (Sydney) | |||||||||
| Semifinalists | S.E. Melbourne Phoenix Perth Wildcats | |||||||||
| Matches played | 13 | |||||||||
| Attendance | 131,478 (10,114 per match) | |||||||||
| Scoring leader | Kendric Davis 27.2 | |||||||||
| All statistics correct as of 5 April 2026. | ||||||||||
The 2026 NBL Finals was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball League's 2025–26 season.
As Australia and New Zealand participated in 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification, the league took a break during the FIBA international window of 23 February to 3 March 2026, following the final set of regular season fixtures.[1][2]
The finals were played in March and April 2026 between the top six teams of the regular season, consisting of three play-in games, two best-of-three semifinal series and the best-of-five NBL Championship series, where the highest seed hosted the first, third and fifth games.[3][4]
The top two seeds in the regular season automatically qualified to the semifinals. Teams ranked three to six competed in the play-in tournament. The third seed played the fourth seed for third spot and the loser played the winner of fifth or sixth for the fourth seed.[5]
Qualification
Qualified teams
| Team | Date of qualification |
Round of qualification |
Finals appearance |
Previous appearance |
Previous best performance |
Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide 36ers | 18 January 2026 | 17 | 27th | 2025 | Champions (1986, 1998, 1999, 2002) | [6] |
| S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 21 January 2026 | 18 | 4th | 2025 | Semifinalist (2021) | [7] |
| Sydney Kings | 25 January 2026 | 18 | 20th | 2025 | Champions (2003, 2004, 2005, 2022, 2023) | [8] |
| Melbourne United | 25 January 2026 | 18 | 30th | 2025 | Champions (1993, 1997, 2006, 2008, 2018, 2021) | [9] |
| Perth Wildcats | 29 January 2026 | 19 | 39th | 2025 | Champions (1990, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020) | [10] |
| Tasmania JackJumpers | 14 February 2026 | 21 | 4th | 2024 | Champions (2024) | [11] |
Ladder
| Pos | 2025–26 NBL season | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Last 5 | Streak | Home | Away | PF | PA | PP | |
| 1 | Sydney Kings | 33 | 24 | 9 | 72.73% | 5–0 | W11 | 13–4 | 11–5 | 3276 | 2879 | 113.79% |
| 2 | Adelaide 36ers | 33 | 23 | 10 | 69.70% | 2–3 | L1 | 12–5 | 11–5 | 3042 | 2890 | 105.26% |
| 3 | S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 33 | 22 | 11 | 66.67% | 3–2 | L1 | 11–5 | 11–6 | 3324 | 3061 | 108.59% |
| 4 | Perth Wildcats | 33 | 21 | 12 | 63.64% | 4–1 | W1 | 10–7 | 11–5 | 2996 | 2840 | 105.49% |
| 5 | Melbourne United | 33 | 20 | 13 | 60.61% | 2–3 | W1 | 11–6 | 9–7 | 3041 | 2905 | 104.68% |
| 6 | Tasmania JackJumpers | 33 | 14 | 19 | 42.42% | 2–3 | L2 | 6–10 | 8–9 | 2873 | 2884 | 99.62% |
| 7 | New Zealand Breakers | 33 | 13 | 20 | 39.39% | 2–3 | W1 | 7–9 | 6–11 | 3022 | 3058 | 98.82% |
| 8 | Illawarra Hawks | 33 | 13 | 20 | 39.39% | 3–2 | W2 | 7–9 | 6–11 | 3074 | 3205 | 95.91% |
| 9 | Cairns Taipans | 33 | 9 | 24 | 27.27% | 1–4 | L2 | 4–13 | 5–11 | 2754 | 3194 | 86.22% |
| 10 | Brisbane Bullets | 33 | 6 | 27 | 18.18% | 0–5 | L13 | 2–14 | 4–13 | 2710 | 3196 | 84.79% |
Updated to match(es) played on 20 February 2026. Source: NBL.com.au
Ladder progression
| Leader and qualification to semifinals | |
| Qualification to semifinals | |
| Qualification to play-in | |
| Last place |
Updated to match(es) played on 20 February 2026. Source: NBL.com.au
Seedings
- Sydney Kings
- Adelaide 36ers
- S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
- Perth Wildcats
- Melbourne United
- Tasmania JackJumpers
The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the overall points percentage will determine order of seeding.
Playoff Bracket
| Play-in / Seeding qualifier | Play-in game | Semifinals | Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Melbourne United | 82 | 1 | Sydney Kings | 105 | 89 | X | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Tasmania JackJumpers | 68 | 4 | Perth Wildcats | 104 | 75 | X | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Perth Wildcats | 95 | 1 | Sydney Kings | 112 | 89 | 106 | 91 | 113 | |||||||||||||||
| 5 | Melbourne United | 77 | 2 | Adelaide 36ers | 68 | 91 | 93 | 92 | 101 | |||||||||||||||
| 3 | S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 111 | 2 | Adelaide 36ers | 104 | 92 | 108 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Perth Wildcats | 94 | 3 | S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 97 | 101 | 96 | |||||||||||||||||
Play-in tournament
Seeding qualifier
(3) S.E. Melbourne Phoenix vs. (4) Perth Wildcats
| 4 March 2026 | S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 111–94 | Perth Wildcats | John Cain Arena, Melbourne |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 | Scoring by quarter: 35–29, 29–18, 22–17, 25–30 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Sobey 24 Rebs: Brown 8 Asts: Sobey 7 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Doolittle 22 Rebs: three players 6 Asts: Windler 7 |
Attendance: 3,981 Referees: Ken Arrick, James Griguol, Vaughan Mayberry |
| Series tied 2–2 in the regular season series |
|---|
Play-in qualifier
(5) Melbourne United vs. (6) Tasmania JackJumpers
| 5 March 2026 | Melbourne United | 82–68 | Tasmania JackJumpers | John Cain Arena, Melbourne |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 | Scoring by quarter: 15–17, 25–14, 16–24, 26–13 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Delany 33 Rebs: Krslovic 7 Asts: Doyle, Walker 6 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Marshall 20 Rebs: Deng 9 Asts: Campbell 6 |
Attendance: 5,071 Referees: Chris Reid, Ken Widgeon, Ruben Woolcock |
| Series tied 2–2 in the regular season series |
|---|
Play-in game
(4) Perth Wildcats vs. (5) Melbourne United
| 7 March 2026 | Perth Wildcats | 95–77 | Melbourne United | Perth Arena, Perth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 | Scoring by quarter: 22–19, 22–34, 23–10, 28–14 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Lual-Acuil28 Rebs: Lual-Acuil 12 Asts: Doolittle, Henshall 6 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Doyle 13 Rebs: Edwards 8 Asts: Delany 3 |
Attendance: 6,731 Referees: Ken Arrick, Michael Aylen, Nico Fernandes |
| Melbourne won 2–1 in the regular season series |
|---|
Semifinals series
(1) Sydney Kings vs. (4) Perth Wildcats
| 11 March 2026 | Sydney Kings | 105–104 (Series: Sydney leads series, 1–0) |
Perth Wildcats | Sydney SuperDome, Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 | Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 26–20, 25–31, 32–29 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Davis 35 Rebs: Craig 9 Asts: Davis 6 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Doolittle 31 Rebs: Lual-Acuil 12 Asts: Duke 8 |
Attendance: 10,132 Referees: Nico Fernandes, Vaughan Mayberry, Ken Widgeon |
| 14 March 2026 | Perth Wildcats | 75–89 (Series: Sydney wins series, 2–0) |
Sydney Kings | Perth Arena, Perth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 | Scoring by quarter: 23–22, 23–21, 13–17, 16–29 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Henshall 20 Rebs: Lual-Acuil 14 Asts: Duke 5 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Davis 27 Rebs: Maluach 8 Asts: Davis, Dellavedova 5 |
Attendance: 9,711 Referees: Michael Aylen, Nico Fernandes, Ken Widgeon |
| Sydney won 3–0 in the regular season series |
|---|
(2) Adelaide 36ers vs. (3) S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
| 10 March 2026 | Adelaide 36ers | 104–97 (Series: Adelaide leads series, 1–0) |
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 | Scoring by quarter: 25–27, 25–21, 27–27, 27–22 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Cotton 42 Rebs: Rakocevic 10 Asts: three players 5 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Sobey 23 Rebs: Sobey 10 Asts: Sobey 7 |
Attendance: 10,055 Referees: Ken Arrick, Michael Aylen, Chris Reid |
| 14 March 2026 | S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | 101–92 (Series: Series tied, 1–1) |
Adelaide 36ers | John Cain Arena, Melbourne |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:30 | Scoring by quarter: 19–30, 25–27, 39–20, 18–15 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Sobey 41 Rebs: Brown 7 Asts: Foxwell 7 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Cotton 29 Rebs: Rakocevic 10 Asts: Cameron 8 |
Attendance: 5,600 Referees: Ken Arrick, Vaughan Mayberry, Chris Reid |
| 17 March 2026 | Adelaide 36ers | 108–96 (Series: Adelaide wins series, 2–1) |
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix | Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 | Scoring by quarter: 28–17, 31–28, 24–19, 25–32 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Cotton 38 Rebs: Cheatham 13 Asts: Cotton 7 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Clark 32 Rebs: Brown 10 Asts: Sobey 8 |
Attendance: 10,018 |
| Series tied 2–2 in the regular season series |
|---|
Championship series
(1) Sydney Kings vs. (2) Adelaide 36ers
| 21 March 2026 | Sydney Kings | 112–68 (Series: Sydney leads series, 1–0) |
Adelaide 36ers | Sydney SuperDome, Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 | Scoring by quarter: 31–23, 28–16, 31–17, 22–12 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Davis 25 Rebs: Soares 8 Asts: Davis 7 |
boxscore report |
Pts: White 11 Rebs: Cheatham 7 Asts: Cotton 7 |
Attendance: 13,181 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Chris Reid, Ken Widgeon |
| 27 March 2026 | Adelaide 36ers | 91–89 (Series: Series tied, 1–1) |
Sydney Kings | Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 | Scoring by quarter: 25–30, 28–22, 15–22, 23–12 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Cotton 28 Rebs: Rakocevic 9 Asts: Cheatham 7 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Davis 20 Rebs: Cooks, Craig 10 Asts: Dellavedova 7 |
Attendance: 10,058 Referees: Ken Arrick, Michael Aylen, James Griguol |
| 29 March 2026 | Sydney Kings | 106–93 (Series: Sydney leads series, 2–1) |
Adelaide 36ers | Sydney SuperDome, Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:30 | Scoring by quarter: 24–31, 28–22, 21–17, 33–23 | |||
| Network 10 | Pts: Davis 34 Rebs: Soares 10 Asts: Davis 15 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Jenkins 22 Rebs: Cheatham 10 Asts: Cotton 12 |
Attendance: 18,373 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Chris Reid, Ken Widgeon |
| 1 April 2026 | Adelaide 36ers | 92–91 (Series: Series tied, 2–2) |
Sydney Kings | Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 | Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 24–29, 26–21, 20–17 | |||
| ESPN | Pts: Cheatham 23 Rebs: Humphries 10 Asts: Cotton 12 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Davis 22 Rebs: Soares 9 Asts: Davis 10 |
Attendance: 10,068 Referees: Michael Aylen, James Griguol, Vaughan Mayberry |
| 5 April 2026 | Sydney Kings | 113–101(OT) (Series: Sydney wins series, 3–2) |
Adelaide 36ers | Sydney SuperDome, Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:30 | Scoring by quarter: 29–31, 27–24, 13–21, 26–19, Overtime: 18–6 | |||
| Network 10 | Pts: Davis 35 Rebs: Cooks 12 Asts: Davis 14 |
boxscore report |
Pts: Cotton 35 Rebs: Rakocevic 13 Asts: Cotton 9 |
Attendance: 18,589 Referees: James Griguol, Vaughan Mayberry, Chris Reid |
| Sydney won 3–1 in the regular season series |
|---|
Media coverage
Television
The league extended its partnership with ESPN Australia. All games are available live on ESPN, Kayo Sports, Network 10 and Disney+.[12] In New Zealand, Sky Sport will be the official league broadcaster.[13]