Justin Tatum has apologised for naming an NBL referee after Illawarra's loss to Adelaide, taking responsibility for the comments as his Hawks begin to put a difficult stretch behind them. The coach raised the issue himself after Wednesday night's 120–110 Ignite Cup win over South East Melbourne, saying the apology wasn't requested by the league or his club. It's a significant change of tone after a tense few days, and it comes as Illawarra's basketball is finally giving him something better to discuss.
Tatum had identified an official in his post-match press conference following Saturday's defeat to the 36ers, linking that official's presence to lost momentum. On Wednesday, he said he'd meant no criticism or ill will towards the referee and apologised to the official, supporters, players and club. When asked whether somebody had directed him to make amends, he answered, 'This is all me.' The NBL's account of his apology makes clear that he wanted the focus back on his team rather than the officiating debate.
The timing matters because the Hawks have been doing some of their most convincing work of NBL27. Against the Phoenix, Illawarra conceded the opening eight points before taking control with a ferocious first-half attack. The Hawks scored 71 before the main break, including a 43-point second quarter, and built a lead that reached 20. South East Melbourne trimmed the damage after half-time, but Illawarra had already made the decisive move.
Milton Doyle and Kelan Martin combined for 11 three-pointers, while Davo Hickey delivered the sort of all-round influence that makes the Hawks harder to defend than a two-scorer outfit. Hickey finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Illawarra shot 56 per cent from the floor and hit 13 of 32 attempts from beyond the arc, according to the NBL's match report. Those numbers show how quickly a good possession can become a damaging one when the ball moves and multiple players are threats.
There's still plenty to repair. Illawarra's 5–9 record leaves little room to waste opportunities, and giving up 110 points to a Phoenix side struggling for defensive cohesion isn't the kind of complete performance that will settle every concern. But three wins in four games are a genuine shift from the earlier results. The Hawks have found scoring combinations that can stretch a defence without asking Doyle to create every advantage himself.
For Tatum, the most useful response to a week dominated by a refereeing controversy is now in front of him. He's acknowledged the mistake publicly; his players have answered with a 120-point win. The next challenge is turning that offensive momentum into a steadier run of results, with Perth waiting on Saturday. Illawarra won't climb the ladder on an apology, but it can move forward with the attention where it belongs: the basketball.
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