# NBLxNBA

NBLxNBA is a series involving clubs from the National Basketball League (NBL) of Australia and New Zealand and the National Basketball Association (NBA) of the United States and Canada. The series started in 2017 for each league's 2017–18 season, and each season includes between two and seven games. The games have always been held in the U.S. and Canada, and typically are held during September and early October.

## Seasons
### 2017–18 season

In 2017 the NBL announced that the Brisbane Bullets, Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings would compete in games against three NBA teams in the inaugural NBLxNBA series.
Despite losing all three games (including a one-point thriller), the series was marked as a success for the NBL as it brought in much higher television ratings than the teams were used to, and it showed how competitive the league is. The series also drew the attention of multiple high-profile NBA players, including Australian Ben Simmons who expressed his interest in competing in a future NBLxNBA game.
* ESPN2
* 2 October 2017 19:00
* boxscore
| Sydney Kings | 83–108 | Utah Jazz |
| Scoring by quarter: 16–35, 31–23, 13–19, 23–31 |||
| Pts: Ellis 19 Rebs: Blanchfield 9 Asts: Leslie 3 | | Pts: Hood 18 Rebs: Gobert 10 Asts: Ingles 5 |
* Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City Attendance: 15,692 Referees: Marc Davis, Kevin Scott, Randy Richardson
* ESPN
* 8 October 2017 14:00
* boxscore
| Melbourne United | 85–86 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Scoring by quarter: 30–27, 14–22, 22–21, 19–16 |||
| Pts: Ware 20 Rebs: Prather 10 Asts: Wesley 5 | | Pts: George 22 Rebs: Adams 10 Asts: Westbrook 7 |
* Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City Attendance: n/a Referees: James Capers, Eric Dalen, Lauren Holtkamp
* ESPN
* 13 October 2017 19:00
* boxscore
| Brisbane Bullets | 93–114 | Phoenix Suns |
| Scoring by quarter: 12–38, 33–33, 23–20, 25–23 |||
| Pts: Trice 20 Rebs: Kickert 10 Asts: Trice 5 | | Pts: Booker 31 Rebs: Bender, Chandler 9 Asts: Booker 6 |
* Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix Attendance: 8,297 Referees: Derek Richardson, Mark Ayotte, Ron Garretson

### 2018–19 season

The NBL announced a second series on 27 June 2018, with five of their eight clubs travelling to the United States of America to complete in seven games. The clubs which didn't complete were the Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans and Illawarra Hawks.
The Adelaide 36ers reached the highest score by the NBL teams and fell one point short of the elusive 100 points milestone, but the NBL teams failed to record a victory for a second year in a row.
* ESPN
* 28 September 2018 19:00
* boxscore
| Melbourne United | 84–104 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Scoring by quarter: 21–34, 21–22, 22–25, 20–23 |||
| Pts: Pledger, Ware 19 Rebs: Pledger 13 Asts: Ware 5 | | Pts: Embiid 20 Rebs: Embiid 10 Asts: Simmons 14 |
* Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia Attendance: n/a Referees: Ed Malloy, Mark Lindsay, Aaron Smith
* ESPN2
* 29 September 2018 19:00
* boxscore
| Perth Wildcats | 72–130 | Utah Jazz |
| Scoring by quarter: 13–44, 21–31, 11–25, 27–30 |||
| Pts: Cotton 14 Rebs: Vague 7 Asts: Kay 3 | | Pts: Allen 19 Rebs: Bradley, Gobert 9 Asts: Exum 6 |
* Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City Attendance: 17,685 Referees: Rodney Mott, Tre Maddox, Brett Nansel
* ESPN2
* 30 September 2018 15:30
* boxscore
| Sydney Kings | 91–110 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Scoring by quarter: 17–28, 37–31, 18–23, 19–28 |||
| Pts: Randle 25 Rebs: Lisch 9 Asts: Lisch 6 | | Pts: Harris 20 Rebs: Harris 11 Asts: three players 5 |
* Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu Attendance: 6,911 Referees: James Capers, Gary Zielinski, Karl Lane
* ESPN2
* 3 October 2018 19:00
* boxscore
| New Zealand Breakers | 86–91 | Phoenix Suns |
| Scoring by quarter: 20–28, 22–24, 20–25, 24–14 |||
| Pts: Webster 27 Rebs: Long 10 Asts: Webster 7 | | Pts: Ayton 21 Rebs: Ayton 16 Asts: Ariza 6 |
* Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix Attendance: 7,183 Referees: Bill Kennedy, CJ Washington, Scott Twardoski
* 9Go!
* 5 October 2018 19:00
* boxscore
| Adelaide 36ers | 99–129 | Utah Jazz |
| Scoring by quarter: 31–28, 23–38, 32–28, 13–35 |||
| Pts: Sobey 23 Rebs: Drmic 9 Asts: three players 4 | | Pts: Mitchell 18 Rebs: Udoh 10 Asts: Ingles 7 |
* Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City Attendance: 18,074 Referees: Mark Ayotte, Gary Zielinski, CJ Washington
* ESPN2
* 5 October 2018 19:00
* boxscore
| Melbourne United | 82–120 | Toronto Raptors |
| Scoring by quarter: 17–23, 22–34, 19–44, 24–19 |||
| Pts: Goulding, Ware 17 Rebs: Boone 11 Asts: Ware 5 | | Pts: Powell 21 Rebs: Ibaka 12 Asts: Wright 5 |
* Scotiabank Arena, Toronto Attendance: 15,781 Referees: Matt Boland, Eric Dalen, Sean Corbin
* ESPN2
* 5 October 2018 19:00
* boxscore
| Perth Wildcats | 88–96 | Denver Nuggets |
| Scoring by quarter: 16–27, 25–24, 29–24, 18–21 |||
| Pts: Cotton 33 Rebs: Kay 8 Asts: Norton 4 | | Pts: Morris 15 Rebs: Millsap 9 Asts: Morris 9 |
* Pepsi Center, Denver Attendance: 9,812 Referees: Josh Tiven, Jason Goldenberg, Nick Buchert

### 2019–20 season

On July 4, 2019, it was announced that the Adelaide 36ers, Melbourne United and the New Zealand Breakers would play the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings in the 2019 edition of NBLxNBA. The series was pushed closer towards the start of the NBA season, which meant the Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers missed the beginning of the NBL season, and Melbourne United missed a fortnight of the early rounds of the season.
Despite the NBL losing streak continuing, this series marked the first time an NBL team reached the 100 point mark against an NBA team. This happened in both Melbourne United games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings.
* SBS on Demand
* 5 October 2019 19:00
* boxscore report
| Adelaide 36ers | 81–133 | Utah Jazz |
| Scoring by quarter: 18–28, 21–32, 24–44, 18–29 |||
| Pts: Randle 18 Rebs: Froling 11 Asts: Dillon 4 | | Pts: Bradley 18 Rebs: Bradley 10 Asts: Ingles, O'Neale 6 |
* Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City Attendance: 18,306 Referees: Derek Richardson, Ken Mauer, Phenizee Ransom
* SBS on Demand
* 8 October 2019 19:00
* boxscore report
| New Zealand Breakers | 94–108 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Scoring by quarter: 14–27, 22–28, 29–22, 29–31 |||
| Pts: Webster 19 Rebs: Hopson 8 Asts: Webster 8 | | Pts: Jackson Jr., Allen 18 Rebs: Clarke 12 Asts: Morant 10 |
* FedExForum, Memphis Attendance: 10,259 Referees: Derrick Collins, Michael Smith, CJ Washington
* SBS on Demand
* 10 October 2019 19:00
* boxscore report
| New Zealand Breakers | 84–110 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Scoring by quarter: 15–29, 20–33, 22–28, 27–20 |||
| Pts: Loe 19 Rebs: Hopson, Majok 6 Asts: Hampton, Henry 5 | | Pts: Adams 19 Rebs: Adams 10 Asts: Schroder 6 |
* Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City Attendance: n/a Referees: Derrick Collins, Brett Nansel, Michael Smith
* SBS on Demand
* 13 October 2019 12:30
* boxscore report
| Melbourne United | 100–118 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Scoring by quarter: 24–18, 27–29, 20–43, 29–28 |||
| Pts: Trimble 22 Rebs: Long 9 Asts: Trimble 6 | | Pts: Harrell 22 Rebs: Zubac 8 Asts: Williams 7 |
* STAPLES Center, Los Angeles Attendance: 10,181 Referees: Brandon Adair, Tre Maddox, Bill Spooner
* SBS on Demand
* 16 October 2019 19:00
* boxscore report
| Melbourne United | 110–124 | Sacramento Kings |
| Scoring by quarter: 28–31, 21–29, 23–39, 38–25 |||
| Pts: Goulding 25 Rebs: Long 15 Asts: Trimble 6 | | Pts: Bagley III 30 Rebs: Bagley III 14 Asts: Ferrell, Hield 6 |
* Golden 1 Center, Sacramento Attendance: 10,534 Referees: J.T. Orr, CJ Washington, Sean Wright

### 2022–23 season

After a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced that the Adelaide 36ers would take on the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder in October 2022. The series saw the first NBL win over an NBA team, with the 36ers beating the Suns 134–124 in Arizona on 3 October 2022.
* 2 October 2022 21:00
* boxscore
| Adelaide 36ers | 134–124 | Phoenix Suns |
| Scoring by quarter: 33–28, 38–31, 25–31, 38–34 |||
| Pts: Randall II 35 Rebs: McCarron 9 Asts: McCarron 16 | | Pts: Payne 23 Rebs: Bridges 7 Asts: Paul 12 |
* Footprint Center, Phoenix Attendance: 15,152 Referees: Bill Kennedy, Justin Van Duyne, Dannica Mosher
* 6 October 2022 20:00
* boxscore
| Adelaide 36ers | 98–131 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Scoring by quarter: 16–35, 27–38, 27–35, 28–23 |||
| Pts: Randall II 27 Rebs: Franks 7 Asts: Randall II 8 | | Pts: Mann 26 Rebs: Williams 12 Asts: Giddey, Williams 6 |
* Paycom Center, Oklahoma City Attendance: n/a Referees: Pat Fraher, Derrick Collins, Jenna Schroeder

### 2023–24 season

In August 2023, it was announced that the Cairns Taipans and New Zealand Breakers will compete in the series in October 2023. The Taipans took on the Washington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors in their NBLxNBA series debut, while the Breakers played the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz.
* Kayo Freebies
* 10 October 2023 19:00
* boxscore report
| Cairns Taipans | 82–145 | Washington Wizards |
| Scoring by quarter: 23–44, 23–38, 22–34, 14–29 |||
| Pts: Gak 17 Rebs: Roberts 10 Asts: Armstrong 8 | | Pts: Kuzma 22 Rebs: Gafford 8 Asts: Wright 6 |
* Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. Attendance: 6,856 Referees: Bill Kennedy, Marat Kogut, Tyler Mirkovich
* NBA League Pass
* 10 October 2023 19:00
* boxscore report
| New Zealand Breakers | 66–106 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Scoring by quarter: 23–23, 16–25, 11–20, 16–38 |||
| Pts: Jackson-Cartwright 19 Rebs: Cheatham 10 Asts: Cheatham 4 | | Pts: Simons 14 Rebs: Brown 8 Asts: Henderson 6 |
* Moda Center, Portland Attendance: 12,694 Referees: Justin Van Duyne, Mousa Dagher, John Butler
* Kayo Freebies
* 15 October 2023 18:00
* boxscore report
| Cairns Taipans | 93–134 | Toronto Raptors |
| Scoring by quarter: 17–38, 27–33, 39–33, 10–30 |||
| Pts: Miller 22 Rebs: Roberts 9 Asts: Payton 7 | | Pts: Freeman-Liberty 15 Rebs: Boucher 8 Asts: Siakam 5 |
* Scotiabank Arena, Toronto Attendance: 18,141 Referees: Courtney Kirkland, Eric Dalen, Robert Hussey
* Kayo Freebies
* 16 October 2023 19:00
* boxscore report
| New Zealand Breakers | 94–114 | Utah Jazz |
| Scoring by quarter: 11–31, 32–28, 22–25, 29–30 |||
| Pts: Lamb 23 Rebs: Lamb 7 Asts: Jackson-Cartwright 6 | | Pts: Markkanen 15 Rebs: Markkanen 7 Asts: Juzang 4 |
* Delta Center, Salt Lake City Attendance: 14,190 Referees: J.T. Orr, Gediminas Petraitis, Jenna Reneau

### 2024–25 season

On 10 July 2024, the New Zealand Breakers announced their series of NBLxNBA games against the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder. A third game against the Philadelphia 76ers was later added on 23 September.
* NBA League Pass
* 4 October 2024 19:00
* boxscore report
| New Zealand Breakers | 87–116 | Utah Jazz |
| Scoring by quarter: 29–29, 18–34, 23–27, 17–26 |||
| Pts: Jackson-Cartwright 16 Rebs: López 7 Asts: Jackson-Cartwright 9 | | Pts: Juzang 19 Rebs: Kessler 9 Asts: Collier 6 |
* Delta Center, Salt Lake City Attendance: 14,121 Referees: Tony Brothers, Karl Lane, Chelisa Painter
* NBA League Pass
* 7 October 2024 19:00
* boxscore report
| New Zealand Breakers | 84–139 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Scoring by quarter: 19–40, 26–42, 23–31, 16–26 |||
| Pts: Jackson-Cartwright 26 Rebs: Gillespie 6 Asts: McCarron 3 | | Pts: four players 15 Rebs: Drummond, McCain 9 each Asts: Dowtin 6 |
* Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia Attendance: 19,767 Referees: Scott Twardoski, Gediminas Petraitis, Pat O'Connell
* NBA League Pass
* 10 October 2024 20:00
* boxscore report
| New Zealand Breakers | 89–117 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Scoring by quarter: 36–34, 24–26, 16–24, 13–33 |||
| Pts: Mooney 19 Rebs: Gillespie 8 Asts: Jackson-Cartwright 8 | | Pts: Flagler 25 Rebs: Jones 13 Asts: Dieng 9 |
* BOK Center, Tulsa Attendance: n/a Referees: Mark Lindsay, Brandon Adair, Ashley Moyer-Gleich

### 2025–26 season

On 11 March 2025, the National Basketball Association, National Basketball League and the Victoria State Government announced that the New Orleans Pelicans would play two exhibition games at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia against Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix as part of the NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series. This will mark the first time an NBA team has played in Australia, and the first time that the South East Melbourne Phoenix have played against an NBA team.
* 3 October 2024
| New Orleans Pelicans | vs. | Melbourne United |
* Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
* 5 October 2024
| New Orleans Pelicans | vs. | South East Melbourne Phoenix |
* Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne