When Melbourne United hit the lead late in Game 2 of the NBL Championship Series against the Illawarra Hawks, there was so much excitement but also an air of tension in the building. In the back of people’s minds was the threat of Hawks star Tyler Harvey hitting a game-winning shot to deny Melbourne United, like he has done to several teams before.
Or perhaps even blurred memories of Jack McVeigh’s astonishing game-winning shot from the logo in last year’s Championship Series for Tasmania JackJumpers. Anyway, the game was there for the taking and that’s exactly what Hawks' skipper Harvey did, as he knocked down a highly-contested and difficult shot from the corner.
United had the last shot to steal the victory back still with six seconds left on the clock. Chris Goulding put up an improbable shot from the left wing, hitting the backboard before rolling out of the basket but the barest of margins. The win was much needed for the Hawks, helping them tie the series at 1-1 before heading back to Wollongong for Game 3 on Sunday afternoon.
After the game, Harvey admitted that there was extra motivation to hit the shot after what he was responsible for a “bonehead” play, almost costing his team the game.
“To be completely honest I was really pissed about the play before, when I fouled (Ian) Clark,” he said.
The foul on Clark from behind the arc saw the United livewire wander to the free throw line for three shots, trailing 97-99. IC stayed calm and collected, nailing all three shots to give Melbourne a one-point lead 100-99.
“During the timeout I just prayed, I was like God please just give me a chance to redeem myself because that was just such a bonehead play and almost cost us the game," Harvey said.
Despite how extraordinary his final shot was, it’s hardly the first time he has come up clutch to win a game for the Hawks during his NBL career. It has happened on four different occasions, so let’s look back on his timeline of hitting game-winning shots during his time in the league.
Tyler Harvey - A timeline of game-winners
December 17th, 2021, v New Zealand Breakers: Tyler Harvey emerges as one of the best big moment players when he hits a floater from inside the key to give Illawarra a 96-95 lead with 2.7 seconds left. This subsequently won them the game in the second overtime period.
January 19th, 2023, v New Zealand Breakers: With the Hawks down 76-75 at Spark Arena, the Hawks star launched a long bomb from right on the logo, sinking the Breakers with just over a second left on the clock.
October 26th, 2023, v Cairns Taipans: With 6.1 seconds left Harvey takes the ball the length of the court, pulling up for a step-back three from the left wing and hitting it with 0.2 seconds left on the clock to hand the Taipans a heartbreaking loss and Illawarra their second victory of the season.
12th March 2025 v Melbourne United: Harvey got the inbound pass with the Hawks down 100-99 with 10.4 seconds left in the game. He was pinned in the corner with Ian Clark guarding him closely, before doing a few pump fakes and lacing it from the corner with 6 seconds left on the clock. The shot ultimately won the game for Illawarra, as United failed to hit a shot down the other end.
The Hawks star will have a big part to play for the rest of the series as his side pushes for their second NBL Championship and first since 2001.
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