Key NBL1 Matchups: Week 7

Image Credit: Tia De Santis @tia.desa

With another massive weekend of NBL1 hoops coming your way, here is one key matchup from each conference that you should be keeping a keen eye on!

Don't miss a single minute of NBL1 action this season! Watch every game LIVE & FREE via NBL1.com.au and the NBL1 app. 

NBL1 CENTRAL WOMEN'S - West Adelaide Bearcats vs. Sturt Sabres

A massive 1st vs. 2nd battle between West Adelaide and Sturt is set to turn heads in the NBL1 Central Women's Division this weekend.

The West Adelaide Bearcats have been nothing short of dominant to start the season, with an 8-0 start to the season. Morgan Yaeger has led the way terrifically, with the collective brilliance of the Hodges sisters, Chloe and Coco, providing excellent support as all three players average double-figure points in 2026. Add in the new signing of WNBL superstar Alex Ciabattoni, and the Bearcats are looking hard to stop this year. 

The Sturt Sabres have plenty of depth in their ranks though, and will match up well with the undefeated Bearcats, sitting at 7-1 to start the year. Tayla Brazel leads the way, averaging 17.1 points so far this season, while Nicola Mathews, Paige Padroth, and Katia Stamatelopoulos have all been superb. 

The winner of the contest may have a stronghold on the tag of 'championship favourites', and time will tell as to which team that will be. 

NBL1 WEST MEN'S - Eastern Suns vs. East Perth Eagles

The Eastern Suns have been the surprise packet of the NBL1 West Men's division in 2026, and they're looking to claim another big scalp when they take on East Perth this weekend.

Led by the scoring brilliance Terrandus Smith, who sunk the Rockingham Flames in style last weekend with a last-second game-winner, and youngster Marley Sam who has taken the league by storm in 2026, as well as Joe Cook-Green who has barely gotten out of second gear, and an excellent list of players underneath them, there aren't many sides that the Suns won't be able to take it up to in 2026. 

The East Perth Eagles have an outstanding lineup of NBL quality talent though, which will certainly make this matchup a juicy one. Perth Wildcats star David Okwera has had a sensational season so far, with Lat Mayen and Jonah Antonio enjoying strong starts to the year alongside him. 

If the Suns can claim another scalp, it may be enough to legitimise their contender status in 2026, though the Eagles will definitely give them a tough time. 

NBL1 EAST WOMEN'S - Centre of Excellence vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

The stage is set for another Grand Final rematch as COE and Manly meet again in the NBL1 East Women's division

The Sea Eagles have enjoyed an excellent start to the season with a 7-0 record, while COE have remained strong, sitting in fourth place at 5-1. Their lineup has shared the load brilliantly too, with their top-5 scorers all averaging over 13.0 points per game. 

Zara Russell, Isabel Smith, and Olivia Olechnowicz have all been strong for COE so far this year though, and the rising stars will certainly give the Sea Eagles a shake.

With both teams sitting among the NBL1 East contenders once again, the rematch will bring genuine finals intensity once again.

NBL1 NORTH MEN'S - Gold Coast Rollers vs Sunshine Coast Phoenix

The Gold Coast Rollers and Sunshine Coast Phoenix have both enjoyed solid starts to the NBL1 North season, sitting in fifth and fourth place respectively with 2-1 records.

James Whitt has been a breath of fresh air for the Rollers this season, averaging 25.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, while Jensen Bradtke has also carried some solid form out of the NBL season with the Brisbane Bullets. 

The Phoenix have excellent depth to match up to these stars though. The returning Earnest Ross will add plenty to an already strong lineup of Deshawn Ross-Paiwan, Nelson Kahler, Luke Anderson, and the Robeateau brothers Darnell and Jamaal who have all started this year strongly. 

Despite the season still being in it's infancy, a win here will be crucial. 

NBL1 SOUTH WOMEN'S - Casey Cavaliers vs. Sandringham Sabres

Finishing us off we have another top-of-the-ladder battle, this time in NBL1 South between the second-placed Casey Cavaliers and the first-placed Sandringham Sabres. 

Each side is led by a genuine superstar, with a strong list of talents behind them to support. Steph Reid has been excellent for the Sabres, with Madison Ryan, Klara Wischer, and Isis Lopes all enjoying strong seasons as well, while Dallas Loughridge has been terrific for the Cavaliers, with WNBL talents Nya Lok and Sharne Robati supporting brilliantly alongside Chelsea D'Angelo and Samantha Bowman.

In a stacked women's division, the winning side will have a case for being the early championship favourites when this one is all said and done.

Don't miss a single minute of NBL1 action this season! Watch every game LIVE & FREE via NBL1.com.au and the NBL1 app.