The 2024 Sal's NBL Final 6 teams and game dates are locked in, but the full picture of who will be playing who isn’t quite as crystal clear.
This year sees a return to teams playing on home courts, a scenario fans have been crying out for. Venue availability has played a crucial role in setting the final game dates and Final 6 set-up. The League announced to the teams earlier in the year that the traditional seedings from Play-In Finals into the Semi-Finals may alter to ensure teams are given every opportunity to secure a venue and play finals in front of their fans, and also for competing teams to be given maximum rest days.
Both of these goals have been achieved.
Sal's NBL General Manager says “We are all really excited about the Sal’s NBL finals returning to home venues, it’s been quite a while since the fans have been able to see their team play home finals. And though it meant the League and the teams needed to be flexible due to the complexities of venue availability, it looks like we have achieved the best result for the fans.”
As we enter the final round of the season there is still a possibility that results this week could alter the final finishing position of some teams in the top six, most notably the Airs, Saints and Bulls. The top two teams are locked in, the Rams (1) and Tuatara (2), while the Giants (6) appear unmovable with a very strong points percentage.
This season has also seen points percentage (points scored divided by points conceded) used as a tiebreak for any teams ending the regular season with the same number of wins, a scenario that is likely to play out. Rapid League points scored and conceded by each team have also been added to the Sal’s NBL ladder, created an exciting additional layer and ultimately meaning that every basket counts in both competitions.
All of that means the 2024 Sal's NBL Final 6 picture isn't quite crystal clear as we enter the final round of the season, while the dates of the games are locked in and the six teams to qualify for the post season have very nearly been confirmed, there is still the possibility that results could fall in a very particular (seemingly unlikely) way that would end up changing the order of events as they currently stand.
This is how the Final 6 looks going into Round 16 with points differential illustrated:
If the above standings stay as currently constructed the postseason schedule would look as follows:
2024 Final 6 Schedule (most likely scenario to be confirmed based on R16 results)
| Play in Game 1, Wednesday, 17 July 7:30pm Airs vs Giants TSB Arena, New Plymouth |
Play in Game 2, Friday, 19 July 7.30pm |
| Semi Final 1, Sunday, 21 July 3pm Rams vs Winner July 17 game Cowles Stadium, Christchurch |
Semi Final 2:Wednesday, 24 July, 8pm Tuatara vs Winner July 19 game Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland |
|
Grand Final Sunday July 28, 3pm: At home court of highest remaining seed |
|
But the above standings and schedule are are not quite set in stone as very unlikely, some would say near impossible, results in Round 16 could change the most likely standings and change the order of events in the postseason, for instance the Saints and Bulls could swap positions given a specific set of circumstances.
In order for those two teams to swap places on the ladder the following results would have to occur:
Possible yes, unlikely also yes.
Some other unlikely scenarios that could change the Final 6 makeup:
Hawks qualify over Giants if:
Nuggets qualify over Giants if:
Whai qualify over Giants if:
Tuatara claim top seed if:
So barring the unlikeliest of high scoring results in the final round of Sal's NBL action the finals scenario outlined in the schedule above will be how the 2024 Final 6 will shape up.
But stranger things have happened and basketball miracles still come around every once in awhile, so make sure you grab your popcorn and enjoy the show just in case!!
