Magnay spearheads JackJumpers to Playoffs

The Tasmania JackJumpers have progressed to the next stage of the NBL24 Finalswith a 16-point win over the Illawarra Hawks.

A Will Magnay-inspired Tasmania JackJumpers flexed their muscle to surge past the Illawarra Hawks 92-76 and progress to the next stage of the NBL finals. 

Magnay notched a career-high 25 points in a physical encounter at a sold out MyState Bank Arena in Hobart.

The 25-year-old big man also picked up 10 rebounds and four blocks in an outstanding 30 minutes on court. 

Magnay surpassed his previous career-best of 23, notched five years ago for the Brisbane Bullets.

Tasmania opened up an 18-point lead midway through the second term before the Hawks clawed their way back to trail by seven heading into the final quarter. 

In front of a raucous crowd, the JackJumpers piled on 22-13 in the fourth. 

They next play second-placed Perth Wildcats in a best-of-three playoff for a shot to make the best-of-five Championship Series. 

The JackJumpers have made the finals in each of their three seasons in the NBL.

The Hawks meanwhile have a sudden death Play-In showdown with the winner of the Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers clash.

Gary Clark, who tweaked an ankle early, was gallant for Illawarra with a team-high 21 points.

Tasmania lost Marcus Lee in the first play of the game to a left shoulder injury when the center came off second best in a collision with Sam Froling. 

Magnay started on fire, scoring 11 points and picking up five rebounds in the first quarter as the JackJumpers opened up a 29-17 lead. 

"He along with Jack McVeigh we're just on point. His game is quite simple, attack the rim, protect the rim, roll to the rim. And he did all that". 

"He's a bit of a beast" Head Coach Scott Roth said. 

Clark notched back-to-back threes in the second quarter as the Hawks reduced the gap to 51-44 at half-time. 

Tasmania's Jack McVeigh, who top-scored with 26 points, copped an unsportsmanlike foul in the third quarter for dropping a shoulder into rookie Lachlan Olbrich on the ground. 

Illawarra were just 10 from 19 at the free-throw line, with Olbrich missing all four of his unsportsmanlike foul shots.

Tasmania's Milton Doyle was quiet on the scoresheet with just five points but had a game-high 10 assists. 

"That's what great players do, when they're not scoring the ball, they make others look good" Roth said. 

"Milt is one of the best players I've ever played with. He make my job is easy, I just roll to the rim and jump. Milt knows exactly where to put it right near the hoop, I just get to make it look pretty. He always sees me, always communicating, he's a silent leader" Magnay said. 

MyState Bank Arena was arguably as loud as it's ever been, with Magnay and McVeigh certainly not dampening their spirits, actively encouraging the hype.

"Playing well or not, they are just all for us and it's so fun to play in front of.

"I'm very happy and content where I'm at. But the work is tomorrow, how do I get better, how do I make those around me better" Magnay said. 

Roth echoed Magnay's praise of the ant army. 

"This building was crazy, absolutely crazy. The people of Tasmania came to play as well" Roth said. 

Marcus Lee suffered a shoulder injury just minutes into the first quarter but initial assessements indicate the injruy may not be as seriosu as first feared. 

"He's ok. I think it was more of a scare, some pinching in his shoulder and neck, but he's in the best care and we're lucky to now have 4 or 5 days to recover before we travel again so we'll see how he goes" Roth. 

Magnay played more minutes than he has all season, clocking more than 30 minutes in Lee's absence. 

"I just really hope he's ok. He's a great team mate, probaby one of the best lob catchers in the game. I really hope he's starting Perth" Magnay said. 

Tasmania now head to Perth for Game 1 of the Play Offs Series 1 against the Wildcats on Friday March 8.