Whilst Round 7 isn’t officially over, there are already plenty of storylines emerging across the league.
Is Zylan Cheatham the NBL’s most underrated player right now? Are the Tasmania JackJumpers and Illawarra Hawks struggling to find consistency because of their lack of depth?
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Could this finally be the moment the Sydney Kings make their stand and re-establish themselves as genuine contenders? Or will Jack McVeigh’s return to the Cairns Taipans lineup be the spark that helps them get their season back on track?
With one game still to come, here are this week’s NBL Talking Points.
ZYLAN CHEATHAM IS ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED PLAYERS IN THE NBL
Zylan Cheatham entered NBL26 with plenty of buzz surrounding his return to the league – and he’s quietly delivering one of the most complete and impactful seasons we’ve seen from any forward this year.
After a solid stint with the New Zealand Breakers in NBL24, Cheatham joined the Adelaide 36ers in what has quickly become one of the most dynamic and balanced rosters in the competition. While his role has shifted, his production has arguably improved – and his influence has been directly tied to Adelaide’s 6-2 start to the season.
Through the opening rounds, Cheatham is averaging 9.1 points, a career-high 11 rebounds (leading the league), and 4.3 assists per game, all while shooting 49% from the field. Granted, much of his work comes around the basket – but his efficiency and consistency have been elite. He also holds a +8.4 plus-minus, ranking 11th in the league, underscoring his value on both ends of the floor.
Over his last two outings, Cheatham has ramped up his offensive aggression, helping ease the scoring load on Bryce Cotton and Dejan Vasiljevic. Against Melbourne United, he produced 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, followed by 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists in a gritty win over the Illawarra Hawks.
He may not be getting the same spotlight as the league’s marquee names, but Cheatham’s impact is undeniable. He’s the glue that holds Adelaide together – a high-IQ, relentless competitor who’s redefining what it means to be a modern forward in the NBL.
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Cairns claim upset win over Tasmania | 00:46
COULD THE TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS’ LACK OF DEPTH HOLD THEM BACK?
The Tasmania JackJumpers entered Round 7 with a golden opportunity – two home games to kick off a five-game homestand. But instead of capitalising, they stumbled to an 0-2 record, falling to both the Perth Wildcats and Cairns Taipans in a disappointing stretch that’s raised serious questions about their depth.
The loss to Perth was somewhat understandable, coming after Will Magnay went down in the third quarter. Without their defensive anchor, the JackJumpers had no answer for Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., who took over in the final term. But the follow-up defeat to Cairns was far more alarming.
It was a classic low-scoring Tasmania-style grind, ending 75-69 in favour of the Taipans, but the JackJumpers’ inability to slow down Cairns’ offensive trio proved costly. Andrew Andrews (27 points, 3 assists), Jack McVeigh (23 points, 6 rebounds), and Admiral Schofield (18 points, 6 rebounds) all found ways to break down Tasmania’s normally disciplined defence.
The JackJumpers did make rebounding a clear point of emphasis – and dominated that stat line 48-34 – but it wasn’t enough. Their nine turnovers, 16% shooting from three, and 15-of-23 from the free throw line ultimately doomed them.
More concerning is the lack of bench production. Against the Taipans, Scott Roth went to just three players off the pine, and they combined for only 10 points. Without Magnay, the frontcourt depth looks extremely thin, and there’s limited scoring punch beyond the starting five.
As the season grinds on, this could become a real problem. Tasmania have built their identity on toughness and resilience, often winning games they arguably shouldn’t. But with a long campaign ahead – and upcoming home clashes against South East Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide – their margin for error is shrinking fast.
NBL Wrap: Cotton stars in narrow victory | 02:10
SYDNEY KINGS DOMINATE — BUT HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
The Sydney Kings have hovered around the middle of the pack to start the NBL26 season. Sitting just inside the top six, their best basketball looks capable of contending with anyone – but their worst has been well below expectations.
Much of that inconsistency has stemmed from the fluctuating form of their stars Xavier Cooks, Matthew Dellavedova, and Kendric Davis. When those three click, Sydney looks every bit the powerhouse many predicted. When they don’t, the drop-off is dramatic.
Against the Brisbane Bullets, however, the Kings reminded everyone of their ceiling. They blew the visitors off the floor in a 116-79 demolition, showcasing pace, balance, and cohesion at both ends of the court.
Now sitting 4-5 after nine games, Sydney has the perfect opportunity to turn momentum into a genuine run. They’ll close out Round 7 with a blockbuster clash against Melbourne United, where they’ll have the chance to hand the undefeated United their first loss of the season.
If the Kings can carry that same energy and confidence forward, their next stretch of games could prove decisive. They face the New Zealand Breakers (twice), Illawarra Hawks, Tasmania JackJumpers, and Perth Wildcats – all teams capable but inconsistent.
For Sydney, it starts with Xavier Cooks. His 24-point, 10-rebound performance against Brisbane on 10-of-15 shooting was a reminder of why he’s the Kings’ barometer. When he’s aggressive and efficient, the entire team feeds off it.
The Melbourne test looms large. Win that, and Sydney’s upcoming run could become the launchpad back into contender status. Lose it, and the next five games become a critical stretch to rebuild consistency, belief, and trust in both the system and the execution of it.
NZ Breakers HAMMER Illawarra Hawks | 01:10
ARE THE ILLAWARRA HAWKS JUST NOT THAT GOOD?
The Illawarra Hawks, reigning NBL25 champions, entered this season with big expectations. With a refreshed roster, a new system, and the arrival of one of the league’s biggest names, many believed they’d be right back in the title hunt. Instead, their rocky start has set off alarm bells across the NBL.
The Hawks currently sit bottom of the ladder at 2-6, struggling to find rhythm on both ends of the floor. While injuries have played a part – Will Hickey recently returned after missing several games, and new import Q.J. Peterson is still finding his feet – their overall cohesion and consistency remain major concerns.
Hickey’s impact has been immediate, highlighted by his 20-point, 9-rebound, 8-assist performance in the narrow loss to Adelaide. Yet despite bright spots like this, the Hawks have been plagued by blowouts. Three of their six losses have been by double digits, and two by margins of 40+ points, a staggering fall from their championship standard.
Offensively, the Hawks have leaned into a more post-dominant style, relying heavily on JaVale McGee’s interior presence. While effective in stretches, it’s made them overly predictable and left them struggling to shoot efficiently from the perimeter – a key weakness when games tighten up.
Head coach Justin Tatum summed it up bluntly after their most recent defeat: “We have to get better as a group and find a way to win.”
The upcoming stretch will be critical. The Hawks face Melbourne United, followed by the Cairns Taipans, a team capable of both brilliance and inconsistency. They simply can’t afford another 0-2 stretch if they hope to stay in touch with the top six.
So where to from here? Does Tatum tweak the system to loosen McGee’s post focus? Can Will Hickey spark a turnaround as the two-way engine this team needs? Or is this group just not built to replicate the magic of NBL25?
There’s still time for a turnaround – and if anyone can steer them back on track, it’s Justin Tatum. But for now, the Hawks’ title defence looks to be hanging by a thread.
ack McVeigh is key to the Taipans’ hopes.Source: Getty Images
A HEALTHY JACK McVEIGH CAN SAVE THE CAIRNS TAIPANS
Jack McVeigh’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Cairns Taipans. After missing three games – and reportedly playing through injury before that – the forward made an immediate impact in his comeback, helping Cairns to a 1-1 weekend against the Brisbane Bullets and Tasmania JackJumpers.
Before his absence, one of the key talking points around McVeigh was his dip in production and what appeared to be a more limited offensive role. With hindsight, it’s now clear that injury played a major part in that decline. Since returning, McVeigh has looked revitalised – and the numbers tell the story.
Against Brisbane, he delivered 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and a block on 17 shot attempts. Then, in his return to Tasmania, he replicated that aggression, again putting up 23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, along with a steal and block on 20 field goal attempts.
His return has completely changed Cairns’ offensive balance. With McVeigh back in rhythm, Andrew Andrews can comfortably slide into the secondary scoring role, while Admiral Schofield no longer bears the nightly burden of producing 20+ points. It also allows Cairns’ younger players to focus on complementary roles instead of carrying too much of the load.
With Sam Waardenburg still to rejoin the rotation, the Taipans’ ceiling is suddenly much higher – but only if McVeigh remains healthy. His aggression and involvement must stay consistent, with the offence continuing to flow through him.
When firing, McVeigh is one of the most complete players in the NBL – a versatile scorer, tough rebounder, and leader who gives the Taipans their identity. His return has already reminded everyone how important he is to their structure and success.
