Ball played the biggest game of his career as the Illawarra Hawks secured a 114-106 win over Cairns Taipans in overtime in Wollongong.

Next year's potential No.1 NBA draft pick was everywhere during the game as he recorded the first triple-double of his professional career.

The 18-year-old is the youngest player in NBL history to achieve the milestone.

Ball drained 32 points - including four from outside the paint - and had 13 assists and 11 rebounds.

Trailing 99-96 with five seconds remaining, it was again Ball who stepped up when his team needed him most. He sunk a long-range three-pointer, his fourth of the game, to send the clash into over time.

The Hawks, led by Tim Coenraad, Sunday Dech and Ball, came out firing in the first period of overtime to take a 109-101 lead before Taipan Cameron Oliver drained a three-pointer.

Scott Machado sunk two free throws following a foul called against AJ Ogilvy. The Hawks led 109-106 with one minute, 24 seconds left.

Ogilvy managed his redemption soon after, mustering a huge block. The play led to Ball securing a basket at the other end.

Sunday Dech then drained a three-pointer as the Hawks took a 114-106 lead, which was the final score.

Coenraad finished the game with 27 points. DJ Newbill led the way for Cairns with 27 points while Machado scored 22.

Earlier, Ball's energy helped two of Illawarra's biggest weaknesses in 2019/20 become their strengths in the first half on Monday night.

The Hawks flew out to an 8-2 lead early on and were able to hold a 29-23 advantage at the first break.

Ball's highlights included a beautiful, long-range three-pointer. Ball tapped his head a couple of times in celebration, as if to say "This is my house!"

The Hawks came flying out of the blocks again in the second quarter, led by two baskets to Angus Glover.

There was a nerve-wracking moment for all Hawks - and NBL - fans when Ball drove towards the basket, crashed into opponent Nathan Jawai and landed awkwardly. However, he bounced back onto his feet and was able to sink a free throw.

The rest of the quarter was dominated by Coenraad, who had little trouble sinking four three-pointers as the Hawks took a 59-47 advantage into half time.

The Hawks, led by Ball, came out firing against in the third quarter. However, the Taipans surged and were able to cut the deficit to 79-71 at the final break.

In a see-sawing final quarter, Machado threatened to break the hearts of Hawks' fans when he sunk two three-pointers as Cairns took a 99-96 lead.

Enter LaMelo Ball. His three-pointer with five seconds remaining sent the game into overtime.

Spurred on by a vocal home crowd, the Hawks surged to victory by eight points to seal their third win of the season.

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