Games of the Week Preview: March 29-30

The first week of the 2025 NBL1 season is here! Through two brilliant finishes to the WNBL and NBL seasons, basketball has never been in a better place and the NBL1 will pick up the momentum starting this Saturday. 

The NBL1 South, East and Central all tip off this weekend, followed by the NBL1 West on April 4th and the NBL1 North on May 1st. 

Every game will be available via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App, while select games each week will be featured on Kayo Sports. 

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Check out the previews for the NBL1 Games of the Week, streaming live and free via Kayo Freebies. 

Saturday, Round 1: Diamond Valley Eagles vs Keilor Thunder

Women’s live from 6:00pm AEDT

The championship runners-up will take on a new big three in Abbey Ellis, Steph Reid and Lara McSpadden. 

Keillor went on a historic run last season, finishing with a 19-3 record led by former Opal and first-year head coach Kristi Harrower. She brought in two superstars, Maddy Rocci and Isabelle Bourne (who was named the MVP), and made it all the way to the Grand Final – before losing to the Waverley Falcons. 

With redemption on their mind, and their first game being against a newly formed big three, expect a fantastic game to kick off the season. 

Men’s live from 8:00pm AEDT

On the men’s side, the Keilor Thunder will be as ready as any team, taking part in an exhibition clash against the Indonesian champion Pelita Jaya back in December. 

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With their young core getting even more game experience, and with the additions of Daniel Foster from college, 7’2” Paschal Chukwa and former NBL1 Central import Magnus Richards – the Thunder will be an interesting match-up each game.

The Diamond Valley Eagles will also be a tough challenge, featuring twin towers Jock Perry and 6’10” Chinese star Gordon Zhang. Finishing 6-16 and 17th on the ladder, the Eagles have a big season ahead to flip the narrative. 

Saturday, Round 1: Newcastle Falcons vs Sydney Comets

Women’s live from 5:00pm AEDT 

The reigning champions will host the opening round against the up-and-coming Sydney Comets this weekend. With the MVP and Finals MVP Nicole Munger returning, and the additions of Claudea Waihape-Andrews and Meg Jefferson, the Falcons come into the season as favourites. 

The Comets added two major additions over the summer, signing NBL1 West Sixth Player of the Year Mikayla Pirini and Sydney Flame Abigail Curtin. Alongside their young core of Alexandria Oliver and Piper Anderson – it will be another massive season in the centre of Sydney. 

Men’s live from 7:30pm AEDT

On the men’s side, the Falcons will be a perfect mix of hustle and excitement. With the addition of athletic forward E.J. Stephens and the return of Lewis Mason, Myles Cherry and Ryan Beisty – Newcastle will once again be a gritty team with flashes of full-court brilliance. 

The Comets are projected once again to be finals contenders. With Obi Kyei, Biwali Bayles and Johnny Crnogorac all returning and the additions of former Inner West Bull Viliami Foketi and Bankstown Bruin Shareef Saipaia, the Comets look even better for 2025. 

Saturday, Round 1: West Adelaide Bearcats vs Woodville Warriors 

Women’s live from 6:30pm ACDT 

Two AFLW stars will go head-to-head this weekend as five-time Premier League (now NBL1 Central) and Port Adelaide’s Olivia Levicki will take on former Opal, two-time WNBA champion and three-time AFLW Premiership Player Erin Philips in her historic return to basketball. 

Levicki’s West Adelaide are considered title favourites by multiple pundits, while Woodville’s addition of championship-winning point guard Jasmin Fejo means both teams will be must-watch come Saturday. 

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Men’s live from 8:30pm ACDT

The Bearcats have a new dynamic duo, featuring Keanu Rasmussen and Lat Mayen to take over the scoring load, easily projecting as one of the top four teams coming into the season.  

While for the Warriors, they’ve brought in former North Adelaide Rocket Steven Parfitt and French import Tim Troussel. Giving the squad a completely new offensive structure heading into 2025. 

Sunday, Round 1: Central Districts Lions vs Eastern Mavericks 

Women’s live from 1:30pm ACDT 

Champions versus a proven champion.

The reigning NBL1 Central champions, the Central Districts Lions, will take on two-time NBL1 champion Morgan Yaeger with her new team, the Eastern Mavericks. 

Yaeger is coming off her first season in the North, being the scoring difference in the three-game series between the Northside Wizards. In the series, she averaged 19.6 points and went nuclear in the second game to extend the series. 

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She’ll take on the defending champions, who have retooled from last season with the additions of Papua New Guinean Shanique Lucas, Yaeger’s former teammate Sydney Wright and the returning Lilly Ritz. 

Men’s live from 3:30pm ACDT

After a memorable Round 1 last season where Owen Raneberg hit a game-winner in overtime, can the Eastern Mavericks recapture the magic against the same team? 

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With the Lions’ addition of former Norwood Flame Jack Stanwix, expect a high-energy performance in his debut.