The NBL Cup continues the explosive start to NBL21 on ESPN, with the inaugural tournament bringing together all nine teams in a blockbuster basketball showdown.
ESPN will showcase 25 live matches from the NBL Cup in Melbourne.
20 of those 25 matches will be live double headers, ensuring ESPN hoops fans action packed nights of basketball throughout the NBL Cup.
The unique tournament offers a $150,000 prize for the team that finishes with the most points, with $100,000 for second place and $50,000 for third.
All wins and losses in the NBL Cup will count towards each team’s overall win/loss record for the season.
Melbourne United currently sit atop the NBL ladder going into the NBL Cup, and will start favourites for the debut edition of the tournament in their home city.
The Hawks have been the surprise packet of NBL21, as Brian Goorjian has his side playing an entertaining style of basketball.
They currently sit second on the NBL ladder, and will look to push for the NBL Cup silverware.
Perth Wildcats are also not to be discounted. The reigning NBL champions have had an interrupted start to NBL21 and the NBL Cup format will offer them a chance to climb the ladder and build their title defense.
South East Melbourne Phoenix will also enjoy a boost for the NBL Cup, as Boomers star and former NBA wing Ryan Broekhoff has signed on for the remainder of the season.
The ex-Dallas and Philadelphia sharpshooter hopes to feature in the second half of the NBL Cup tournament once relocating back to his home state of Victoria.
ESPN’s coverage begins on Saturday February 20 as the Illawarra Hawks meet the Cairns Taipans at 3pm AEDT on ESPN.
The first double header of the NBL Cup follows on Monday February 22, with the Hawks again tipping off the action at 5pm AEDT against the New Zealand Breakers.
Melbourne United then follow at 7.30pm AEDT against the Taipans.
Tuesday sees another live double header, headlined by the Grand Final rematch between the Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings at 5pm AEDT.
The Adelaide 36ers then clash with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 7.30pm AEDT.
NBL Cup on ESPN Schedule
Saturday February 20
3pm AEDT, Illawarra Hawks vs Cairns Taipans, ESPN
Monday February 22
5pm AEDT, NZ Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans, ESPN
Tuesday February 23
5pm AEDT, Perth Wildcats vs Sydney Kings, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, Adelaide 36ers vs SE Melbourne Phoenix, ESPN
Thursday February 25
5pm AEDT, NZ Breakers vs Sydney Kings, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, Melbourne United vs Adelaide 36ers, ESPN
Friday February 26
5pm AEDT, Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, Perth Wildcats vs Cairns Taipans, ESPN
Saturday February 27
8pm AEDT, Sydney Kings vs Melbourne United, ESPN
Wednesday March 3
5pm AEDT, Brisbane Bullets vs NZ Breakers, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, SE Melbourne Phoenix vs Perth Wildcats, ESPN
Thursday March 4
5pm AEDT, Sydney Kings vs Cairns Taipans, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks, ESPN
Friday March 5
5pm AEDT, Brisbane Bullets vs Perth Wildcats, ESPNÂ
7.30pm AEDT, Melbourne United vs NZ Breakers, ESPN
Saturday March 6
8pm AEDT, Sydney Kings vs SE Melbourne Phoenix, ESPN
Wednesday March 10
5pm AEDT, Cairns Taipans vs NZ Breakers, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, Melbourne United vs SE Melbourne Phoenix, ESPN
Thursday March 11
5pm AEDT, Adelaide 36ers vs Brisbane Bullets, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings, ESPN
Friday March 12
5pm AEDT, NZ Breakers vs Perth Wildcats, ESPN
7.30pm AEDT, SE Melbourne Phoenix vs Cairns Taipans, ESPN
Saturday March 13
8pm AEDT, Melbourne United vs Illawarra Hawks, ESPN
Sunday March 14
2pm AEDT, SE Melbourne Phoenix vs NZ Breakers, ESPNÂ
