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We are fast approaching the midway point of the Australian NBL season, which seems like the perfect time to talk about who may end the season and the basketball champions of Australia.
Before we talk about the potential favorites, we should give you a quick rundown of the NBL. There are 10 teams in the league, each of whom plays 33 games in the regular season. The top 2 teams in the league, or the ladder as they call it, head directly to the semifinals, while the teams ranked 3 through 6 go into a play-in setup to determine the final 2 teams in the semis.
There is a lot of basketball to come before we get to that point, but let’s look at the current favorites to win it all this season.
Melbourne United
Melbourne has come storming out of the gate this season and definitely look like the team to beat at this point.
They are 11-3 in their 13 games thus far and have been good on home court and on the road, going 6-1 at home and 5-1 in hostile territory.
What makes this team such a formidable opponent is that they are getting the job done at both ends of the court. They lead the league in scoring, albeit by just a couple of points, plus they are among the best in terms of points surrendered.
They also have real depth on their bench, which is always important, plus they have been to the Grand Final in each of the last 2 seasons, losing both times.
Adelaide 36ers
The 36ers are hot on the heels of Melbourne at the top of the ladder, sitting at 10-3 as we speak.
Strangely enough, 32 of their 3 losses have come on home court, but the fact that they are solid on the road could prove to be important if they cannot find their way to the top of the ladder before the playoffs begin.
The acquisition of Bryce Cotton, a multiple MVP winner in his time with Perth, has transformed the 36ers offense and made them among the favorites to make it to the Grand Final this year, which would be their first time doing so since 2018.
Perth Wildcats
If you want to talk about potential NBL champions, you need to talk about the Perth Wildcats, who are the most successful team in the league.
They have ended the season as champions 10 times, while also losing in the final 6 times. That said, their last trip to the championship series came back in 2021, plus they lost Bryce Cotton in the offseason, as we just discussed above.
Right now, they are in the middle of the pack at 7-5, with the majority of their struggles coming at home, where they are 2-3. Still, they are likely to be in the conversation all season long.
Sydney Kings
Between 2020 and 2023, the Sydney Kings went to the Grand Final 3 times, winning it twice, so they do have recent playoff success to lean on.
This season is not going as well as many might have expected, but they are still sitting in the middle of the pack with a 7-5 record. Again, like Perth, this is not the ideal spot to be in at the moment, but their past playoff experience may hold them in a good position as the season progresses.
While a top 2 finish seems unlikely at this point, they should still make it to the playoffs.
Final Thoughts
I think it’s safe to say that we are going to have a new champion this year, as the Illawara Hawks, the defending champions, are off to a nightmare start. If that is indeed the case, then you have to say that Melbourne looks the most likely. They have the best record right now and recent playoff success. That makes them very dangerous indeed.
^Some BIG games ahead in Round 10
— NBL (@NBL) November 16, 2025
Which matchup are you most looking forward to? ⤵️
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