The Week that Was
Rams Win Arm Wrestle of a Contest
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai traveled to Christchurch to take on the Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams on a day when the defense would be of paramount importance. The Whai doing an excellent job of limiting the effectiveness of Taylor Britt and Walter brown but Canterbury would control the boards early, limiting early chances for the Whai on the offensive glass and holding the visitors to just 31 points at the half to lead by 5. Kyle Bowen (13pts, 11rbs, 4ast, 2stls) was efficient and effective in multiple facets while Max Darling (12pts, 11rbs, 2blks, 1stl) was effective off the bench once again. Mojave King (11pts, 2rb, 4ast) and the Whai came out strong in the third to chop the lead to 1, but Sean MacDonald (21pts, 2ast) would respond to keep the Whai at arms length. A Tohi Smith-Milner triple would push the lead to 16 at 71-55, which, when combined with the Rams D, put the game out of reach for the Whai's offense. The Rams taking the game, 77-68, and all but locking up the top seed and home court advantage in the postseason.
Tuatara Turn Up the Heat in Palmerston North
The Jadcup Tuatara overcame a slow start to notch a crucial 89-77 road win over the Property Brokers Manawatū Jets in Palmerston North, showcasing the kind of poise and polish that makes them a serious post-season threat. It was a tale of two halves at Fly Palmy Arena, with the home side holding a 25-18 advantage at quarter time after an energetic start. But the Tuatara, led by a composed and clinical second-half performance, swung the momentum in their favour after Kenny Goins encountered foul trouble that combined with the play of Luther Muhammad , who brought intensity on both ends of the court and ignited the offence when it mattered most. The turning point came midway through the third quarter. After a sluggish and defensively scrappy first half, Auckland came out of the sheds with renewed focus. Their defence stiffened, their ball movement improved, and they began to assert control over the tempo of the game. Muhammad (21pts, 7rbs, 8ast) was central to the surge, scoring efficiently and drawing fouls, keeping the Jets on the back foot. His play was complemented by steady contributions from Dylan Wilkie (17pts, 3rbs), who knocked down some key shots off the bench, and Rob Loe (14pts, 8rbs, 2ast), whose rebounding and interior presence helped swing the physical battle in the Tuatara’s favour. The Jets, to their credit, never folded. Despite being outscored 28–15 in the second, they remained within striking distance heading into the fourth quarter, as Quinton Rose (23pts, 7rbs, 3ast) and Dontae Russo-Nance (20pts, 8rbs, 5ast) found form but it wasn't enough to keep the Tuatara from grabbing the win.
Giants Outlast Nuggets to Keep Finals Hopes Alive
The NBS Nelson Giants protected home court with a gritty 94–82 win over the Night 'n Day Otago Nuggets at Trafalgar Centre, extending their recent run of form to stay in the postseason conversation.
Jeremy Combs (25pts, 11rbs, 3ast) led the charge with a dominant double-double, controlling the paint and delivering clutch buckets late. Andrew Jones (17pts, 3rbs, 2ast) added scoring punch while Alex Robinson (9pts, 11ast, 4rbs) steered the ship with sharp decision-making and highlight worthy assists. Hayden Jones (19pts, 6rbs) was key off the bench again as the Giants continued their late season resurgence on their home court.
The Giants burst out to an early lead and, despite multiple Otago runs, never gave it up. Don Carey Jr. (22pts, 8ast, 3 rbs) and Jono Janssen (26pts, 15rbs) kept the Nuggets within striking distance, but turnovers and missed opportunities in key moments stalled their comeback as Nelson’s energy, execution, and composure under pressure proved the difference. With three wins from their last four, they’re shaping as more than just a potential spoiler down the stretch.
Saints Steal Thriller Over Tuatara
The Mills Albert Wellington Saints survived a furious challenge from the Jadcup Auckland Tuatara on Saturday night, escaping with a thrilling 107–106 overtime victory at TSB Arena in what could be the game of the season.
In a clash that lived up to the heavyweight billing, both teams traded big plays, lead changes, and clutch moments over 45 intense minutes, with the outcome hanging on every possession down the stretch. Jordan Ngatai (30pts, 4rbs, 2ast) proved to be key for the Saints, hitting huge shots down the stretch that would help force overtime while letting emotion pour out of his play. The veteran forward was composed in the biggest moments, knocking down shots and keeping his squad calm under pressure. Hyrum Harris (19pts, 11rbs, 5ast) added a crucial double-double , doing much of the dirty work inside and stabilising the Saints during tough stretches hitting not just the amazing game winner but also the clutch free throws that would be the final points in regulation to eventually send it to OT. Nick Marshall (27pts, 5ast) was key early in the contest, orchestrating the offence with Izayah Le'afa unavailable, while keeping Wellington on the front foot for much of the contest.
Auckland was equally impressive, pushing the Saints to the absolute limit. Luther Muhammad (26pts, 7rbs, 7ast) was electric, bringing both intensity and shot-making to the big stage. Charles Pride (15pts, 3stsl) chipped in effectively, while Tom Vodanovich (19pts, 5rbs), Dan Fotu (18pts, 5rbs, 2ast) and Rob Loe (13pts, 15rbs, 2stls, 2blks) did their best to slow down the effect of Nick Musynzski (12pts, 12rbs, 6ast, 6blks) in the paint.
The Tuatara looked poised to steal the game late at the end of OT, but a turnover with just .4 on the clock left Harris just enough room to steal the win on a well designed sideline play where Musynzski played quarterback. It was a performance that showcased the depth and talent on both rosters, underlining why each team is seen as a serious title contender. For Wellington, it was a statement of composure and execution in key moments. For Auckland, it was a painful loss, but one that proves they can match up with anyone, anywhere.
Airs Ground Hawks in Statement Road Win
The Steelformers Taranaki Airs continued their playoff push with an efficient and composed 84-72 win over the Big Barrel Hawks on Sunday. With both teams entering the game looking to solidify post season chances, it was the Airs who stamped their authority behind a strong second-half showing and a rebounding clinic.
Hawke’s Bay, without several key players due to National Team duties and injury, leaned heavily on Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (26pts, 5rbs, 2ast) early, who responded with some of his best offense of the season. But his heroics weren’t enough to overcome the Airs’ balance and physicality.
The home side came out swinging in the first half, taking a slim two-point lead into the break thanks to Swaka Lo Buluk’s aggressive scoring and early energy. But as the game wore on, the Airs’ depth, execution, and size wore the Hawks down. Taranaki found another gear in the third and fourth quarters, shifting into a more deliberate half-court game where their bigs and ball movement could shine. Despite the Hawks’ best efforts to hang in, they struggled to generate consistent offence as the Airs closed the game out with authority.
Craig Moller (19pts, 11rbs) anchored the visitors, playing a key role in establishing control around the rim and keeping the Hawks off the offensive glass. His steady play and versatility helped absorb the absence of big man Jack Andrew, a late scratch due to illness. Carlin Davison (9pts, 10rbs, 6ast, 1stl, 1blk) also impressed for the Airs, contributing across the stat sheet showcasing his growth as a playmaker and defender. Taranaki won the rebounding battle 44-29, underlining their dominance in the paint.
The win pushes the Airs to 10–6 on the season and one step closer to securing homecourt for an elimination final, potentially even a top-two seed if results fall their way. For the Hawks, the loss sees their playoff hopes fade further, though they’ll take positives from their fight given the shorthanded roster.
Sharks Sink Bulls in Fiery Encounter
The Southland Sharks delivered a timely boost to their postseason hopes with a solid 100–93 victory over the Logik Franklin Bulls on Sunday night at ILT Stadium Southland. After a tough spell, the Sharks showed composure at home behind a standout performance from Josiah Allick (22pts, 14rbs, 3ast), whose physicality inside and knack for snagging boards kept the Sharks in control through tight stretches. The bulls fought back as Franklin responded with grit, spearheaded by Flynn Cameron’s (27pts, 9rbs, 5ast, 2stls) impressive night His late-game buckets kept the Bulls in the contest, but turnovers and fouls in crucial moments hampered the comeback attempt that was left until too late in the contest. The Sharks started to pull away late in the third quarter and, despite a Bulls rally that closed the gap to single digits, Southland remained composed. Clutch baskets from Allick and smart perimeter shooting kept them ahead down the stretch.
Southland improves to 8–8 and stays firmly in the finals mix, while Franklin drops to 7–10, now under pressure as the season enters its final weeks. The Sharks demonstrated they can balance interior muscle with outside firepower—a crucial combination in tight games. Franklin, meanwhile, will be enter each remaining game with their finals hopes on the line
