‘It’ll only grow here as well’: NBL players confident the Christmas concept will only get bigger after another record-breaking night

The NBL is teaching rival codes a Christmas lesson with huge crowds turning up to watch games on a night that was once considered a sports-free zone.

Sydney Kings centre Jordan Hunter expects the NBL to only get bigger on Christmas after a record crowd saw the Hawks pull off a major upset at Qudos Bank Arena on Monday night.

Monday’s clash was the second year in a row basketball had been played on December 25 in Australia, with 8578 in the house on the back of 7012 last year.

Sport on Christmas has been extremely popular in America, with five NBA matches being played, but it was long considered taboo in Australia before the Kings gambled and won last year.

Record TV numbers tuned in last year and similar figures are expected again, with two matches played this time around. The Phoenix shocked the JackJumpers in the earlier game.

Sydney Kings owner Paul Smith has helped grow the NBL on Christmas. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

“I can imagine so,” Hunter replied when asked if he thinks the concept will get bigger.

“I don’t have the TV numbers here with me, but it’s something I imagine rides a lot on how that’s going.

“It’s a big tradition in the NBA, so I’m sure it’ll only grow here as well.”

There was a party atmosphere in the crowd, with plenty of diehard Kings supporters and a strong contingent of travelling Hawks fans in attendance, and Santa showed up to hand out gifts with his elves throughout the night.

“It was more fun winning last year on Christmas,” Hunter said.

“It’s a later start so we had a normal Christmas Day – whatever that entails – and you’re chipping in with some game prep here and there.

“You come here and then it’s business.

“I’m super chuffed with the turnout. It’s amazing that we can get people to come out to Qudos on Christmas night.

“We apologise for not getting a win, but we really feel their energy and it means a lot.”

Hawks interim coach Justin Tatum is used to basketball on Christmas, with his son Jayson taking on the Lakers in the NBA showpiece event this year, but it was foreign territory for Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah.

“It was a great atmosphere and it was good seeing everybody in the crowd,” he said.

“That was my first time playing on the holiday – I never played on it back in the States – but I’m glad I did because it was a first night game at home and I hope the fans enjoyed it.”

Justin Tatum has turned Illawarra’s season around. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The Hawks played the role of the Grinch and stole the win despite being down by 18 points in the second quarter to continue their resurgence under Tatum.

Illawarra’s season looked dead and buried when they sacked coach Jacob Jackomas after a slow start to the season, but the Hawks are playing inspired basketball led by their stars.

While Tyler Harvey knocked down some big shots, Tatum said young gun Lachlan Olbrich was the “MVP” after he scored nine points and had 10 rebounds in the thrilling 94-90 win.

He provided the spark when they were down in the second quarter, with the big man pulling down five offensive rebounds.

The defending champions only had seven as a team, and Abdelfattah said that was a major issue for his side who blew yet another big lead to slip to 9-8 this season.

“It looks and smells like complacency, so it probably is,” Hunter said.

“It’s so hard to blow a team out in the NBL. Everyone is really good, so there’s an added emphasis on needing to keep the foot down.”

Originally published as ‘It’ll only grow here as well’: NBL players confident the Christmas concept will only get bigger after another record-breaking night