Both franchises departed Albury on Sunday after an abrupt Boxing Day arrival on the Border due to a COVID-19 outbreak on Sydney's Northern Beaches, which quickly spread to other parts of the state, including Wollongong, where The Hawks are based.

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The clubs had planned to stay in Albury until January 5, but it was stretched by a handful of days to allow the NBL to revise its schedule, with the season opener to be played on Friday between Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United.

The Hawks were set to feature in the first game of the season against Cairns Taipans in Cairns, but that clash has been pushed back to Monday, January 18.

Cairns host the Kings on Saturday, with another game yet to be confirmed in Brisbane on that day, while Adelaide welcomes South East Melbourne on Sunday, January 17.