Illawarra's Championship defence is back on track after capitalising on the hottest of hot starts on the way to a crushing 116-89 NBL win over Brisbane in Wollongong.

The opening six minutes of Saturday's clash were a bloodbath as the Hawks produced a devastating 25-3 run from the tip-off to set up a match-winning lead.

Illawarra entered the match with a 0-3 record and having just been smashed 117-88 by fellow strugglers NZ Breakers.

Adding to the early-season turmoil, Illawarra parted ways with import guard JaQuori McLaughlin in the lead-up to the match.

But the Hawks looked every bit of a Championship-winning team against Brisbane, with guard Tyler Harvey leading the way with 22 points to go with a career-high 10 assists plus five steals.

Former NBA centre JaVale McGee (13 points, 1

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