With its launch already significantly delayed, the NBL has been forced to again adjust its fixtures for the upcoming season in light of state border closures.
While the Cairns Convention Centre is being renovated, the Illawarra Hawks will play the season opener against the Taipans on January 15 at the Cairns team's new pop-up home court inside a specially modified former Bunnings Warehouse.
"It looks good in the images," Hawks owner Dorry Kordahi said.
"I can't get up there with the team, but they've got the floor down and the stadium up.
"I think there will be spectators and all season games are live, so we'll be able to see the Hawks play on live TV and I'm very excited to see what our team can do."
The temporary Cairns venue will have 2,000 seats, temporary change facilities, air conditioning, large fans and catering.
The site has also been fitted out to allow for broadcast lighting, video scoreboards and a PA system to ensure it meets FIBA broadcast standards.
The opening game will be followed by Perth Wildcats v Melbourne United in Perth later that night.
Teams scattered away from home across Australia
As it stands, more than half the league's teams are living and training away from their home base.
The New Zealand Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix are in Hobart, the Sydney Kings and Hawks are in Albury and Melbourne United are in Cairns.
"It's a revolving door at the moment, but it's exciting we've got a start date and some clarity around the start of the season," Mr Kordahi said.
"We've been in Albury the last couple of weeks and that was a good move getting us out of Wollongong.
"Now we're playing Cairns, we'll depart this Sunday in preparation for our two opening games against them."
All home games expected to be played before season concludes in June
The NBL's focus during the pre-season has been shifting teams away from coronavirus hotspots, meaning teams like the Hawks are likely to play a significant consecutive period of time on the road, followed by a potential run of home games at the end of the season.
"We're still aiming for 14 home games and the league is doing everything it can to deliver that to the teams," Mr Kordahi said.
"I hope after the NBL cup [starting February 20 and running for four weeks] come late March, our borders should be open, we'll have some normality and we'll be able to deliver a lot of home games.
"It could be a home game overload."
With the delayed start to the season, the NBL said games need to start soon with a view to being finished by June.
"We will wait and see how things progress around the country over the coming weeks before we finalise the schedule for the following three rounds leading into the NBL Cup in the Melbourne NBL Hub," NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.
"We are also very hopeful of the New Zealand Breakers being able to play some home games in front of their fans in New Zealand later in the season."
