Sleeping Giant May Have Awoken; Where Stumbling No.1 Seed Can Improve — NBL Power Rankings
The NBL ladder is heating up as Melbourne United remains dominant, yet challengers like the Phoenix and 36ers are proving competitive. Injuries and inconsistency are impacting the teams in the middle and lower ranks, while this round's games could shift the balance of title contenders.
Melbourne United
- Record: 9-1
- Offensive Rank: 1st
- Defensive Rank: 1st
- Previous Rank: 1st
Melbourne United came close to a perfect 10-0 start but were narrowly defeated by the Sydney Kings 95–92 at John Cain Arena. Despite the loss, the team's strong start demonstrates their quality. Their first defeat came after winning ten consecutive games, a remarkable achievement.
Melbourne is still awaiting the return of Shea Ili, who is expected to bolster the roster further and help maintain their position as the league's best defensive unit.
“Winning ten straight games to start a season is a remarkable feat, and if your first loss comes more than a third of the way through the campaign - things are going pretty well.”
Attention now shifts to tonight’s rematch against the Illawarra Hawks at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, echoing the NBL25 Finals clash.
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Author's summary: Melbourne United leads the NBL with a near-perfect record, poised to strengthen further with key player returns, while challengers close the gap amid shifting dynamics.