NBL Finals

NBL Finals
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2024 NBL Finals
Logo of the finals sponsored by Hungry Jack's
SportBasketball
Founded1979
No. of teams6
Most recent
champion(s)		Tasmania JackJumpers
(1st title)
Most titlesPerth Wildcats
(10 titles)
TV partner(s)Australia:
New Zealand:
Online:
Official websiteNBL.com.au

The National Basketball League (NBL) Finals is a tournament held at the end of each NBL season to determine the league champions.

The top six teams qualify for the finals based on the regular season results. The current finals format consists of four rounds: two sudden-death play-in games then the best-of-three Semifinals and best-of-five Grand Final series.[1]

Format

[edit]

1980–1983

[edit]
Semifinals Grand Final
      
1  
4  
   
   
2  
3  

1984

[edit]
Preliminary / Elimination finalsQualifying finalsSemifinalsGrand final
1
4
5
8
6
7
2
3

1985

[edit]
Elimination Finals Semifinals Grand Final
1  
4    
5      
   
2  
3    
6  

1986

[edit]
Elimination Finals Semifinals Grand Final
1  
4    
5      
   
2  
3    
6  

1987–1988

[edit]
Elimination Finals Semifinals Grand Final
1  
4    
5    
 
2  
3    
6  

1989–1991

[edit]
Elimination Finals Semifinals Grand Final
1  
4    
5    
 
2  
3    
6  

1992–1996

[edit]
Quarterfinals Semifinals Grand Final
               
1  
8  
 
 
4  
5  
 
 
3  
6  
 
 
2  
7  

1997–1998

[edit]
Elimination Finals Semifinals Grand Final
1  
4    
5    
 
2  
3    
6  

1999

[edit]
Qualifying Finals Semifinals Grand Final
               
1  
 
1  
6  
 
 
2  
5  
 
 
3  
6  

The top six teams at the end of the regular season advance to the finals under this playoff system:

  • The first round of the postseason sees the team that finishes in first place at the end of the regular season against the team that finishes sixth; second plays fifth, and third plays fourth.
  • The three teams that win their respective best-of-three first-round series advances, and is joined in the semifinals by the highest-placed losing team from the first round.
  • Teams are then seeded again for the best-of-three semifinal series. The three winning teams from the first round are seeded in order of their regular-season finishing positions, and the first-round loser automatically becomes the No. 4 seed.
  • The two winning teams from the semifinals meet in a best-of-three Grand Final series to determine the champion.

2000

[edit]
Elimination Finals Semifinals Grand Final
1  
4    
5    
 
2  
3    
6  

2001–2003

[edit]
Qualifying Finals Semifinals Grand Final
               
1  
 
1  
6  
 
 
2  
5  
 
 
3  
6  

2004–2008

[edit]
Elimination FinalsQuarterfinalsSemifinalsGrand Final
1
4
5
8
2
3Third place
6
7

2009

[edit]
Elimination Finals Semifinals Grand Final
1  
4    
5    
 
2  
3    
6  

2010–2016

[edit]
Semifinals Grand Final
          
1  
4  
   
   
2  
3  

2017–2022

[edit]
Semifinals Grand Final
            
1  
4  
   
   
2  
3  

The top four teams at the end of the regular season advance to the finals under this playoff system:

  • The semifinals of the postseason sees the team that finishes in first place at the end of the regular season against the team that finishes fourth; and second plays third. All four teams play a best-of-three semifinal series.
  • The two winning teams from the semifinals meet in a best-of-five Grand Final series to determine the champion.[2]

2023–present

[edit]
Play-in / Seeding qualifierPlay-in gameSemifinalsGrand Final
51
6
32
4

List of finals

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This is a complete listing of National Basketball League (NBL) Finals series, grouped by franchise. Series featuring relocated and/or renamed teams are kept with their ultimate relocation franchises. Bolded years indicate wins. Years in italics indicate series in progress. Tables are sorted first by the number of series, then the number of wins, and then by year of first occurrence.[3][4]

Adelaide 36ers

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Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Perth Wildcats 10 1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2018 25 4–6 .400
Melbourne United 5 1991, 1994, 2004, 2014, 2018 13 3–2 .600
Illawarra Hawks 5 1986, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2017 11 3–2 .600
Victoria Titans 4 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 12 3–1 .750
Brisbane Bullets 4 1985, 1986, 1994, 2005 8 2–2 .500
S.E. Melbourne Magic 3 1993, 1996, 1998 6 1–2 .333
Newcastle Falcons 2 1985,1995 4 0–2 .000
New Zealand Breakers 2 2009, 2015 3 0–2 .000
West Sydney Razorbacks 1 2002 3 1–0 1.000
Canberra Cannons 1 1988 2 0–2 .000
North Melbourne Giants 1 1994 2 0–1 .000
Nunawading Spectres 1 1984 1 0–1 .000
Cairns Taipans 1 2006 1 0–1 .000
Totals 40 91 17–24 .415

As of the end of the 2018 season

Brisbane Bullets

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Perth Wildcats 7 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2006, 2019 14 1–6 .143
Melbourne United 6 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008 14 3–3 .500
Sydney Kings 5 1990, 1992, 2004, 2005, 2007 11 2–3 .400
Adelaide 36ers 4 1985, 1986, 1994, 2005 8 2–2 .500
Canberra Cannons 3 1984, 1985, 1986 3 2–1 .667
North Melbourne Giants 2 1984, 1995 3 1–1 .500
Illawarra Hawks 1 1987 3 1–0 1.000
Newcastle Falcons 1 1993 2 1–0 1.000
Eastside Spectres 1 1990 2 1–0 1.000
S.E. Melbourne Magic 1 1998 2 0–1 .000
Geelong Supercats 1 1984 1 1–0 1.000
Hunter Pirates 1 2005 1 1–0 1.000
New Zealand Breakers 1 2008 1 1–0 1.000
Sydney Supersonics 1 1986 1 1–0 1.000
Launceston Casino City 1 1981 1 0–1 .000
West Adelaide Bearcats 1 1980 1 0–1 .000
Totals 37 68 18–19 .486

As of the end of the 2019 season

Cairns Taipans

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Perth Wildcats 5 2004, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023 10 4–2 .667
New Zealand Breakers 3 2008, 2011, 2015 6 0–3 .000
Sydney Kings 2 2006, 2023 5 0–2 .000
Townsville Crocodiles 1 2011 3 1–0 1.000
Melbourne United 1 2007 2 0–1 .000
Adelaide 36ers 1 2006 1 1–0 1.000
Hunter Pirates 1 2006 1 1–0 1.000
South Dragons 1 2007 1 1–0 1.000
Tasmania JackJumpers 1 2023 1 0–1 .000
West Sydney Razorbacks 1 2004 1 0–1 .000
Totals 18 31 8–10 .444

As of the end of the 2023 season

Illawarra Hawks

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Perth Wildcats 10 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021 24 1–9 .100
Adelaide 36ers 5 1986, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2017 11 2–3 .400
Townsville Crocodiles 4 2001, 2003, 2005 2010 10 4–0 1.000
Melbourne United 3 1993, 1994, 2024 7 0–3 .000
Sydney Kings 2 2005, 2022 5 0–2 .000
North Melbourne Giants 2 1987, 1992 3 1–1 .500
Brisbane Bullets 1 1987 3 0–1 .000
S.E. Melbourne Magic 1 1995 3 0–1 .000
Victoria Titans 1 1999 2 0–1 .000
West Sydney Razorbacks 1 2004 2 0–1 .000
New Zealand Breakers 1 2024 1 1–0 1.000
West Sydney Westars 1 1986 1 1–0 1.000
Newcastle Falcons 1 1984 1 0–1 .000
Tasmania JackJumpers 1 2024 1 0–1 .000
Totals 34 74 10–24 .294

As of the end of the 2024 season

Melbourne United

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Perth Wildcats 8 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2006, 2019, 2021 21 5–3 .625
Sydney Kings 7 1989, 1992, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020 22 4–3 .571
Brisbane Bullets 6 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008 14 3–3 .500
Adelaide 36ers 5 1991, 1994, 2004, 2014, 2018 13 2–3 .400
S.E. Melbourne Magic 4 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 11 2–2 .500
Victoria Titans 3 1999, 2000, 2002 8 1–2 .333
Illawarra Hawks 3 1993, 1994, 2024 7 3–0 1.000
New Zealand Breakers 3 2009, 2016, 2018 6 2–1 .667
Tasmania JackJumpers 2 2022, 2024 8 0–2 .000
South Dragons 1 2009 5 0–1 .000
Canberra Cannons 1 1996 3 1–0 1.000
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 1 2021 3 1–0 1.000
West Sydney Razorbacks 1 2002 3 0–1 .000
Cairns Taipans 1 2007 2 1–0 1.000
North Melbourne Giants 1 1997 2 1–0 1.000
Townsville Crocodiles 1 2005 1 0–1 .000
Totals 48 129 26–22 .542

As of the end of the 2024 season

New Zealand Breakers

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Perth Wildcats 4 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 11 3–1 .750
Sydney Kings 3 2013, 2023, 2024 8 2–1 .667
Cairns Taipans 3 2008, 2011, 2015 6 3–0 1.000
Melbourne United 3 2009, 2016, 2018 6 1–2 .333
Adelaide 36ers 2 2009, 2015 3 2–0 1.000
Tasmania JackJumpers 1 2023 3 1–0 1.000
Townsville Crocodiles 1 2012 3 1–0 1.000
Brisbane Bullets 1 2008 1 0–1 .000
Illawarra Hawks 1 2024 1 0–1 .000
Totals 19 42 13–6 .684

As of the end of the 2024 season

Perth Wildcats

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Adelaide 36ers 10 1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2018 25 6–4 .600
Illawarra Hawks 10 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021 24 9–1 .100
Melbourne United 8 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2005, 2006, 2019, 2021 21 3–5 .375
Brisbane Bullets 7 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2006, 2019 14 6–1 .857
Cairns Taipans 6 2004, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023 10 2–4 .333
North Melbourne Giants 5 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995 15 3–2 .600
New Zealand Breakers 4 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 11 1–3 .250
Sydney Kings 3 2003, 2008, 2020 8 1–2 .333
Townsville Crocodiles 3 2000, 2008, 2009 5 2–1 .667
Gold Coast Blaze 2 2010, 2012 5 2–0 1.000
West Sydney Razorbacks 2 2000, 2002 5 1–1 .500
S.E. Melbourne Magic 2 1994, 1997 4 0–2 .000
Eastside Spectres 1 1991 3 1–0 1.000
Tasmania JackJumpers 1 2024 3 0–1 .000
Victoria Titans 1 2000 2 1–0 1.000
Canberra Cannons 1 1987 1 1–0 1.000
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 1 2023 1 1–0 1.000
Totals 67 157 40–27 .597

As of the end of the 2024 season

S.E. Melbourne Phoenix

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Melbourne United 1 2021 3 0–1 .000
Perth Wildcats 1 2023 1 0–1 .000
Totals 2 4 0–2 .000

As of the end of the 2023 season

Sydney Kings

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Melbourne United 7 1989, 1992, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020 22 3–4 .429
Brisbane Bullets 5 1990, 1992, 2004, 2005, 2007 11 3–2 .600
Perth Wildcats 3 2003, 2008, 2020 8 2–1 .667
New Zealand Breakers 3 2013, 2023, 2024 8 1–2 .333
Townsville Crocodiles 3 2001, 2003, 2007 7 2–1 .667
Canberra Cannons 2 1989, 1996 6 0–2 .000
Cairns Taipans 2 2006, 2023 5 2–0 1.000
Illawarra Hawks 2 2005, 2022 5 2–0 1.000
West Sydney Razorbacks 1 2004 5 1–0 1.000
North Melbourne Giants 1 1994 3 0–1 .000
Tasmania JackJumpers 1 2022 3 1–0 1.000
Totals 30 83 17–13 .567

As of the end of the 2024 season

Tasmania JackJumpers

[edit]
Opponent S Occurrences GP Rec %
Melbourne United 2 2022, 2024 8 2–0 1.000
New Zealand Breakers 1 2023 3 0–1 .000
Perth Wildcats 1 2024 3 1–0 1.000
Sydney Kings 1 2022 3 0–1 .000
Cairns Taipans 1 2023 1 1–0 1.000
Illawarra Hawks 1 2024 1 1–0 1.000
Totals 7 19 5–2 .714

As of the end of the 2024 season

Finals appearances

[edit]
Team Appearances Notes
Perth Wildcats 37 35 straight Finals appearances from 1987 to 2021.
Melbourne United 28 Rebranded as Melbourne United in 2014, and represents the whole of Melbourne.
Adelaide 36ers 25 Formerly the Adelaide City Eagles (1982 only).
Illawarra Hawks 23 Only team to play all seasons since 1979.
Brisbane Bullets 22 Foundation club since 1979.
Sydney Kings 18 Formerly the Sydney Supersonics and the West Sydney Westars.
North Melbourne Giants 15 Last season in 1998. Formed the Victoria Titans in 1998.
Canberra Cannons 11 Last season in 2003. Became the Hunter Pirates in 2003.
New Zealand Breakers 10 Joined the NBL in 2003. First club outside of Australia.
Townsville Crocodiles 10 Competed in the league for 24 seasons. Last season in 2016.
Cairns Taipans 9 Joined the NBL in 1999.
Eastside Spectres 8 Last season in 1991. Formed the South East Melbourne Magic in 1992.
S.E. Melbourne Magic 7 Last season in 1998. Formed the Victoria Titans in 1998.
Newcastle Falcons 6 Competed in the league for 21 seasons. Last season in 1999.
Geelong Supercats 4 Last season in 1996. Now in NBL1 South.
Victoria Titans 4 Became the Victoria Giants in 2002.
West Adelaide Bearcats 4 Last season in 1984. Now in NBL1 Central.
Gold Coast Blaze 3 Last season in 2012.
St. Kilda Saints 3 Last season in 1991. Formed the South East Melbourne Magic in 1992.
Tasmania JackJumpers 3 Joined the NBL in 2021.
West Sydney Razorbacks 3 Became Sydney Spirit in 2008.
Hunter Pirates 2 Last season in 2006. Became the Singapore Slingers in 2006.
South Dragons 2 Left the NBL in 2009.
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 2 Joined the NBL in 2019.
Sydney Supersonics 2 Formed the Sydney Kings in 1988.
Launceston Casino City 1 Last season in 1982.
Singapore Slingers 1 Left the NBL in 2008. Joined the ABL in 2009.
West Sydney Westars 1 Formed the Sydney Kings in 1988.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "New Finals Shake Up". NBL.com.au. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Finals". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Finals". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Finals - the Official Website of the National Basketball League - NBL.com.au". www.nbl.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
[edit]
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