NBL27 opening round brings six live ESPN games across four days – NBL27 will open with six live games in four days on ESPN. The season begins with a Saturday double-header: Melbourne United v Adelaide 36ers, followed by Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Where to watch NBL27
The National Basketball League season starts on Saturday 19 September. Every game will be live on ESPN.
Australian viewers can watch through Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Fetch TV. Sky NZ will carry the games in New Zealand. The packed opening run gives basketball fans an immediate view of a season that shapes as one of the league’s most open title races.
Saturday: Melbourne and Perth headline opening night
Melbourne United meet Adelaide at 7.30pm AEST. United have added former NBA guard Cole Anthony and Australian basketball great Joe Ingles after missing last season’s playoffs.
Adelaide return after losing Game Five of last season’s Grand Final series to the Sydney Kings in overtime. Six-time MVP Bryce Cotton again leads the 36ers’ challenge.
Perth host South East Melbourne at 9.30pm AEST. The Wildcats have kept Kristian Doolittle, Dylan Windler, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., Elijah Pepper and Jesse Wagstaff. They have also added Angus Brandt and Anthony Dell’Orso.
The Phoenix have added Dash Daniels to a group including Nathan Sobey, Skylar Mays, Yannis Morin and D’Shawn Schwartz. Daniels is one of the NBL Next Stars expected to attract NBA attention this season.
Sunday: the defending champions begin
Sunday brings another double-header. The New Zealand Breakers play the Illawarra Hawks at 3pm AEST in Gordon Herbert’s first game as Breakers coach.
The reigning champion Sydney Kings then face the Cairns Taipans at 5pm AEST. Brian Goorjian’s Kings have retained a substantial core, including Championship Series MVP Kendric Davis, Matthew Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks, Torrey Craig and Makuach Maluach.
Davis averaged 25.1 points and 7.1 assists in NBL26. He is set to resume a high-profile MVP battle with Cotton.
Cairns have kept Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith. Keanu Pinder, Jaylin Galloway, Jonah Bolden and Jaylon Brown are among the club’s additions. Next Star Luke Paul will also begin his NBL career after starring for Australia at youth level.
Monday and Tuesday close the first four days
Tasmania JackJumpers host South East Melbourne Phoenix on Monday 21 September. The JackJumpers again lean on Bryce Hamilton, David Johnson and Will Magnay.
Brisbane Bullets then meet the New Zealand Breakers on Tuesday 22 September. Brisbane begin a new era under coach Will Weaver. Nate Hinton, Jaylin Williams and Arnas Velička are among the new faces.
NBL27 opening round on ESPN
- Saturday 19 September: Melbourne United v Adelaide 36ers, 7.30pm AEST; Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix, 9.30pm AEST.
- Sunday 20 September: New Zealand Breakers v Illawarra Hawks, 3pm AEST; Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans, 5pm AEST.
- Monday 21 September: Tasmania JackJumpers v South East Melbourne Phoenix, 7.30pm AEST.
- Tuesday 22 September: Brisbane Bullets v New Zealand Breakers, 7.30pm AEST.
ESPN’s NBL coverage will also include weekly episodes of The Aussie Hoops Pod. Jason Cadee will join ESPN journalist Olgun Uluc. Nothing But Net and Nothing But Net: Aussie Hoops will also return. The first Monday episode will feature Melbourne United recruits Ingles and Anthony.
For more TV Central NBL news, head here. For fixtures and coverage, visit ESPN Australia.