2023 NBL Finals

The 2023 NBL Finals was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball League's 2022–23 season.

2023 NBL Finals

Team Coach Wins Sydney Kings Chase Buford 3 New Zealand Breakers Mody Maor 2
Countries	Australia  New Zealand
Dates	9 February – 15 March
Season	2022–23
Teams	6
Defending champions	Sydney Kings
MVP	Derrick Walton (Sydney)
Semifinalists	Cairns Taipans Tasmania JackJumpers
Matches played	14
Attendance	114,653 (8,190 per match)
Scoring leader	Barry Brown Jr. 18.4
All statistics correct as of 15 March 2023.
← 2022 NBL Finals 2024 →

Format

The finals will be played in February and March 2023 between the top six teams of the regular season, consisting of three play-in games, two best-of-three semifinal series and the best-of-five Grand Final series, where the higher seed hosts the first, third and fifth games.^[1][2]

The top two seeds in the regular season will automatically qualify to the semifinals. Teams ranked three to six will compete in the play-in tournament.^[3] The third seed will play the fourth seed for third spot and the loser will play the winner of fifth or sixth for the fourth seed.^[4] This will be the first season the league will introduce play-in games.^[5]

Qualification

Qualified teams

Team	Date of qualification	Round of qualification	Finals appearance	Previous appearance	Previous best performance	Ref.
Sydney Kings	16 January 2023	15	17th	2022	Champions (2003, 2004, 2005, 2022)	[6]
New Zealand Breakers	28 January 2023	17	9th	2018	Champions (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015)	[7]
Cairns Taipans	28 January 2023	17	9th	2020	Runners-up (2011, 2015)	[8]
Tasmania JackJumpers	4 February 2023	18	2nd	2022	Runners-up (2022)	[9]
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix	5 February 2023	18	2nd	2021	Semifinalist (2021)	[10]
Perth Wildcats	5 February 2023	18	36th	2021	Champions (1990, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)	[11]

Ladder

Pos	2022–23 NBL season v t e
	Team	Pld	W	L	PCT	Last 5	Streak	Home	Away	PF	PA	PP
1	Sydney Kings	28	19	9	67.86%	2–3	L2	10–4	9–5	2679	2468	108.55%
2	New Zealand Breakers	28	18	10	64.29%	5–0	W5	7–7	11–3	2423	2246	107.88%
3	Cairns Taipans	28	18	10	64.29%	2–3	W1	8–6	10–4	2455	2376	103.32%
4	Tasmania JackJumpers	28	16	12	57.14%	3–2	W2	7–7	9–5	2385	2305	103.47%
5	S.E. Melbourne Phoenix	28	15	13	53.57%	3–2	L1	11–3	4–10	2553	2512	101.63%
6	Perth Wildcats	28	15	13	53.57%	2–3	W1	9–5	6–8	2580	2568	100.47%
7	Melbourne United	28	15	13	53.57%	4–1	W1	8–6	7–7	2434	2424	100.41%
8	Adelaide 36ers	28	13	15	46.43%	2–3	L1	8–6	5–9	2546	2597	98.04%
9	Brisbane Bullets	28	8	20	28.57%	2–3	L3	4–10	4–10	2365	2600	90.96%
10	Illawarra Hawks	28	3	25	10.71%	1–4	L4	2–12	1–13	2261	2585	87.47%

Updated to match(es) played on 5 February 2023. Source: NBL.com.au

Ladder progression

	Leader and qualification to semifinals
	Qualification to semifinals
	Qualification to play-in games
	Last place

2022–23 NBL season

Team ╲ Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Adelaide 36ers	—	—	7	4	8	8	7	6	6	7	7	7	7	5	8	8	8	8
Brisbane Bullets	9	9	10	9	9	9	9	9	8	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9
Cairns Taipans	1	3	4	3	4	3	3	3	3	4	3	4	3	3	2	2	2	3
Illawarra Hawks	7	6	9	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10
Melbourne United	5	5	6	8	6	6	8	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	6	7	7	7
New Zealand Breakers	6	4	3	2	1	2	2	1	2	2	1	2	2	2	3	3	3	2
Perth Wildcats	2	1	2	5	7	7	5	7	7	6	5	6	5	7	5	5	5	6
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix	4	7	8	7	3	4	4	4	4	3	4	3	4	6	7	6	6	5
Sydney Kings	3	2	1	1	2	1	1	2	1	1	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Tasmania JackJumpers	8	8	5	6	5	5	6	5	5	5	6	5	6	4	4	4	4	4

Updated to match(es) played on 5 February 2023. Source: NBL.com.au

Seedings

1. Sydney Kings
2. New Zealand Breakers
3. Cairns Taipans
4. Tasmania JackJumpers
5. S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
6. Perth Wildcats

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the overall points percentage will determine order of seeding.

Playoff Bracket

	Play-in / Seeding qualifier					Play-in game					Semifinals							Grand Final
	5	S.E. Melbourne Phoenix	99								1	Sydney Kings	95	82	79
	6	Perth Wildcats	106								3	Cairns Taipans	87	93	64
						3	Cairns Taipans	91										1	Sydney Kings	87	81	91	70	77
						6	Perth Wildcats	78										2	New Zealand Breakers	95	74	68	80	69
	3	Cairns Taipans	79								2	New Zealand Breakers	88	78	92
	4	Tasmania JackJumpers	87								4	Tasmania JackJumpers	68	89	77

Play-in tournament

Play-in qualifier

(5) S.E. Melbourne Phoenix vs. (6) Perth Wildcats

S.E. Melbourne Phoenix v Perth Wildcats

9 February 2023	S.E. Melbourne Phoenix	99–106	Perth Wildcats	John Cain Arena, Melbourne
18:30	Scoring by quarter: 22–18, 29–29, 25–18, 23–41
ESPN	Pts: Creek 24 Rebs: Williams 17 Asts: Browne 5	boxscore report	Pts: Cotton 26 Rebs: Travers 9 Asts: Thomas 8	Attendance: 5,176 Referees: Michael Aylen, Chris Reid, Ruben Woolcock

Regular season series

S.E. Melbourne won 2–1 in the regular season series
28 October 2022 boxscore Perth Wildcats 90, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 91 RAC Arena, Perth 17 November 2022 boxscore Perth Wildcats 103, S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 96 RAC Arena, Perth 22 January 2023 boxscore S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 112, Perth Wildcats 91 State Basketball Centre, Melbourne

Seeding qualifier

(3) Cairns Taipans vs. (4) Tasmania JackJumpers

Cairns Taipans v Tasmania JackJumpers

9 February 2023	Cairns Taipans	79–87	Tasmania JackJumpers	Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
19:30	Scoring by quarter: 16–25, 21–21, 18–19, 24–22
ESPN	Pts: McCall 24 Rebs: Hogg 8 Asts: Hogg 4	boxscore report	Pts: Doyle 25 Rebs: Kelly 12 Asts: Doyle, Kelly 4	Attendance: 3,670 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Nico Fernandez, Mitch Hare

Regular season series

Cairns won 2–1 in the regular season series
3 October 2022 boxscore Tasmania JackJumpers 84, Cairns Taipans 106 MyState Bank Arena, Hobart 17 December 2022 boxscore Tasmania JackJumpers 82, Cairns Taipans 91 MyState Bank Arena, Hobart 20 January 2023 boxscore Cairns Taipans 77, Tasmania JackJumpers 85 Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns

Play-in game

(3) Cairns Taipans vs. (6) Perth Wildcats

Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats

12 February 2023	Cairns Taipans	91–78	Perth Wildcats	Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
13:00	Scoring by quarter: 25–19, 27–24, 19–16, 20–19
10 Peach	Pts: Hogg 32 Rebs: Waardenburg 10 Asts: Scott 8	boxscore report	Pts: Cotton 19 Rebs: Manek 10 Asts: Cotton 10	Attendance: 3,020 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Chris Reid, Nico Fernandez

Regular season series

Perth won 2–1 in the regular season series
10 October 2022 boxscore Cairns Taipans 76, Perth Wildcats 105 Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns 20 December 2022 boxscore Cairns Taipans 83, Perth Wildcats 105 Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns 3 February 2023 boxscore Perth Wildcats 71, Cairns Taipans 84 RAC Arena, Perth

Semifinals series

(2) New Zealand Breakers vs. (4) Tasmania JackJumpers

New Zealand Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers

12 February 2023	New Zealand Breakers	88–68 (Series: New Zealand leads series, 1–0)	Tasmania JackJumpers	Spark Arena, Auckland
18:00	Scoring by quarter: 19–12, 20–25, 26–17, 23–14
10 Peach	Pts: Pardon 15 Rebs: Pardon 9 Asts: McDowell-White 7	boxscore report	Pts: Kelly 12 Rebs: Kenyon 6 Asts: Doyle 4	Attendance: 5,479 Referees: Michael Aylen, Mitch Hare, James Griguol

Tasmania JackJumpers v New Zealand Breakers

16 February 2023	Tasmania JackJumpers	89–78 (Series: Series tied, 1–1)	New Zealand Breakers	MyState Bank Arena, Hobart
19:30	Scoring by quarter: 18–14, 24–28, 22–18, 25–18
ESPN	Pts: Doyle 23 Rebs: Kenyon, Magnay 6 Asts: Doyle 5	boxscore report	Pts: Brown 19 Rebs: Pardon 11 Asts: McDowell-White 4	Attendance: 4,293 Referees: Michael Aylen, Mitch Hare, Ruben Woolcock

New Zealand Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers

19 February 2023	New Zealand Breakers	92–77 (Series: New Zealand wins series, 2–1)	Tasmania JackJumpers	Spark Arena, Auckland
18:00	Scoring by quarter: 21–25, 28–17, 18–22, 25–13
10 Peach	Pts: Brown 32 Rebs: Pardon 14 Asts: McDowell-White 4	boxscore report	Pts: McVeigh 22 Rebs: McVeigh 7 Asts: Doyle, Krslovic 3	Attendance: 6,410 Referees: Michael Aylen, Mitch Hare, Ruben Woolcock

Regular season series

New Zealand won 3–1 in the regular season series
7 October 2022 boxscore New Zealand Breakers 71, Tasmania JackJumpers 65 Spark Arena, Auckland 30 October 2022 boxscore New Zealand Breakers 94, Tasmania JackJumpers 62 Spark Arena, Auckland 18 November 2022 boxscore Tasmania JackJumpers 76, New Zealand Breakers 84 Silverdome, Launceston 26 December 2022 boxscore Tasmania JackJumpers 93, New Zealand Breakers 82 MyState Bank Arena, Hobart

(1) Sydney Kings vs. (3) Cairns Taipans

Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans

15 February 2023	Sydney Kings	95–87 (Series: Sydney leads series, 1–0)	Cairns Taipans	Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
19:30	Scoring by quarter: 25–26, 25–33, 27–10, 18–18
ESPN	Pts: Cooks 27 Rebs: Cooks 14 Asts: Walton 5	boxscore report	Pts: Hogg 24 Rebs: Waardenburg 7 Asts: Scott 7	Attendance: 7,367 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Chris Reid, Nico Fernandez

Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings

17 February 2023	Cairns Taipans	93–82 (Series: Series tied, 1–1)	Sydney Kings	Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
18:30	Scoring by quarter: 27–19, 27–22, 17–14, 22–27
ESPN	Pts: Hogg 25 Rebs: Waardenburg 10 Asts: McCall 7	boxscore report	Pts: Walton 22 Rebs: Simon 10 Asts: Walton 6	Attendance: 4,626 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Chris Reid, Nico Fernandez

Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans

19 February 2023	Sydney Kings	79–64 (Series: Sydney wins series, 2–1)	Cairns Taipans	Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
14:00	Scoring by quarter: 20–26, 28–13, 14–19, 17–6
ESPN	Pts: Vasiljevic 15 Rebs: Cooks, Noi 11 Asts: Walton 9	boxscore report	Pts: Ayre 20 Rebs: Waardenburg 12 Asts: Ayre 4	Attendance: 7,123 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Chris Reid, James Griguol

Regular season series

Cairns won 2–1 in the regular season series
14 October 2022 boxscore Sydney Kings 78, Cairns Taipans 83 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney 29 October 2022 boxscore Sydney Kings 106, Cairns Taipans 103 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney 28 November 2022 boxscore Cairns Taipans 94, Sydney Kings 88 (OT) Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns

Grand Final series

(1) Sydney Kings vs. (2) New Zealand Breakers

Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers

3 March 2023	Sydney Kings	87–95 (Series: New Zealand leads series, 1–0)	New Zealand Breakers	Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
19:30	Scoring by quarter: 23–30, 20–24, 27–22, 17–19
10 Peach	Pts: Simon 18 Rebs: Simon 6 Asts: Walton 6	boxscore report	Pts: Brown, McDowell-White 19 Rebs: McDowell-White 9 Asts: McDowell-White 9	Attendance: 13,145 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Michael Aylen, Mitch Hare

New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings

5 March 2023	New Zealand Breakers	74–81 (Series: Series tied, 1–1)	Sydney Kings	Spark Arena, Auckland
18:00	Scoring by quarter: 9–21, 21–13, 11–23, 33–24
10 Peach	Pts: Brown 21 Rebs: Pardon 11 Asts: McDowell-White 4	boxscore report	Pts: Noi 20 Rebs: Hunter 10 Asts: Bruce 3	Attendance: 8,429 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Michael Aylen, Mitch Hare

Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers

10 March 2023	Sydney Kings	91–68 (Series: Sydney leads series, 2–1)	New Zealand Breakers	Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
19:30	Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 21–23, 24–12, 24–9
ESPN	Pts: Vasiljevic 15 Rebs: Cooks 8 Asts: Walton 9	boxscore report	Pts: McDowell-White 11 Rebs: Le'afa, McDowell-White 6 Asts: Brown, Le'afa 3	Attendance: 18,049 Referees: Michael Aylen, Vaughan Mayberry, Mitch Hare

New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings

12 March 2023	New Zealand Breakers	80–70 (Series: Series tied, 2–2)	Sydney Kings	Spark Arena, Auckland
18:00	Scoring by quarter: 18–12, 21–15, 15–25, 26–18
Sky Sports	Pts: Brantley 23 Rebs: Loe, McDowell-White, Pardon 6 Asts: McDowell-White 5	boxscore report	Pts: Walton 18 Rebs: Simon 7 Asts: Walton 4	Attendance: 9,742 Referees: Michael Aylen, Vaughan Mayberry, Mitch Hare

Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers

15 March 2023	Sydney Kings	77–69 (Series: Sydney wins series, 3–2)	New Zealand Breakers	Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
19:30	Scoring by quarter: 11–22, 24–14, 21–20, 21–13
ESPN	Pts: Walton 21 Rebs: Cooks 11 Asts: Walton 6	boxscore report	Pts: Brown 22 Rebs: Pardon 9 Asts: McDowell-White 5	Attendance: 18,124 Referees: Vaughan Mayberry, Michael Aylen, Mitch Hare

Regular season series

Sydney won 2–1 in the regular season series
6 November 2022 boxscore New Zealand Breakers 77, Sydney Kings 81 Spark Arena, Auckland 8 December 2022 boxscore New Zealand Breakers 81, Sydney Kings 88 Spark Arena, Auckland 22 January 2023 boxscore Sydney Kings 88, New Zealand Breakers 93 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

Media coverage

Television

Australian broadcast rights to the season are held by ESPN. All games are available live on ESPN and the streaming platform Kayo Freebies.^[12] Network 10 will broadcast Sunday afternoon games on 10 Peach and 10 Play.^[13][14]

See also

• 2022–23 NBL season
• 2022–23 NBL regular season