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In a tightly contested Sky Broadband Rapid League matchup on May 30, 2025, the Taranaki Steelformers Airs edged out the Southland Sharks 38–35 at TSB Stadium. The Sharks jumped out to an early lead, as Brayden Inger found space with for his jumper and around the basket on his way to 7 first quarter points to grab a 4 point lead. 

The scoring picked up in the second and when Riley Tuuta free throws briefly gave the Airs the lead before Inger would respond from the stripe to go back up 1. The Airs defense would hamper the road team in the 3rd, and seven straight Taranaki points to close the quarter, 5 by Scott Telfer would give the Airs a 29-27 lead. The momentum had shifted, the defense would continue to hamper the Sharks and Riley Tuuta (10pts, 1ast, 3rb, 2stls) and Scott Telfer (8pts, 1ast, 2rbs) would propel the Airs to the 38-35 victory.

Steelformers Taranaki Airs 38 - Riley Tuuta (10pts, 3rbs, 1ast), Scott Telfer (8pts, 2rb, 1ast), Jack Exeter (7pts, 1rb, 2ast)

Southland Sharks 35 - Brayden Inger (12pts, 3rbs, 2ast), Will Leger (11pts, 5rbs, 1ast), Johnny Helu (6pts, 3rbs, 2ast)

In one of the tightest finishes of the Rapid League season, the Otago Nuggets held their nerve to claim a gritty 31–30 win over the Wellington Saints in Porirua. The Nuggets, desperate to build some momentum, came out composed and aggressive on both ends. Michael Ruske and Patrick Freeman led the charge, scoring 9 points apiece while combining for 4 steals and keeping the pressure on Wellington’s backcourt. Freeman was particularly effective in the open floor, using his athleticism to disrupt passing lanes and convert in transition.

Wellington found their footing through Sam Gold and Lukah Richards in the opening term, as they built an early 12-3 lead. The Nuggets lost touch with the Saints, but never lost sight, playing hard but still looking at an 8 point deficit heading into the final term. Ruske and Freeman were crucial on both ends in the fourth, combining for 10 of 12 points scored, and it would be Freeman's 1 for 2 trip to the free throw line that would give the Nugs a 31-30 lead with 24 seconds left, capped by a Ruske steal to seal the game.

It was a much-needed confidence boost for the Nuggets, who showed poise under pressure, while the Saints will rue missed opportunities in a game that slipped through their fingers.

Mills Albert Pathways Wellington Saints 30 - Sam Gold (10pts, 1rb), Lukah Richards (8pts, 3rbs, 2blks), Kazlo Evans Jr (5pts, 5ast, 1stl)

Night ‘n Day Otago Nuggets 31 - Patrick Freeman (9pts, 1rb, 2stls), Michael Ruske (9pts, 2rbs, 2stls), Darcy Knox (9pts, 2rbs, 3ast)

Next up was the Rams hosting of the Hawks in a tightly contested clash on May 31, 2025, the Hawks edged out the Rams 46–38 at Cowles Stadium, handing the Rams a rare home defeat.

The Hawks set the tone early with aggressive defense and efficient shooting as Jacob Murphy and Kobe Kara exploded for 12 of the Hawks 16 first quarter points. Marco Sula found an expanded role for the Rams, who were missing multiple players at U20 nationals, scoring 8 points of his own to see his side down 4. Max Darling would impact the action in the 2nd term, as the Rams went into the break up 25-22.  In the fourth the Hawks turned up the D while going on a 12-0 run to put the game to sleep. 

The win boosts the Hawks' position on the ladder making a top three push a real possibility while giving the Rams title hopes a dose of reality.

BBQ Factory Canterbury Rams 38- Max Darling (11pts, 2rbs) Marco Sula (10pts, 2rbs, 1ast, 1stl)

Total Energies Hawke's Bay Hawks - Jacoby Murphy (15pts, 2rbs, 2ast, 1blk), Kobe Kara (13pts, 1ast, 1rb, 1stl), Kahu Treacher (8pts, 2rbs, 1ast), Dante Matakatea (8pts, 4rbs, 2ast, 1stl)

The 09 darby between the Bulls and Tuatara was next off the starting block, but it didn't get out of the blocks quickly as the teams combined for 12 first quarter points, with 5 of those scored in the final 30 seconds. In the second term Dylan Wilkie and Zach Riley found rhythm, combining for 4 triples to push the lead to double figures at the halftime break.  In the second half the Tuatara kept the Bulls at arms distance, flirting with holding a double digit lead, but never able to fully claim control of the game. The Bulls unable to capitalise, only drawing the game back to respectability in the final minutes, to eventually go down in 44-38 defeat. 

Franklin Bulls 38 - Zion Anderson (11pts, 2rbs, 1ast, 1 stl, 4-4fg), Christian Vano (10pts, 5ast), Marcel Jones (8pts, 2rbs, 1ast)

Auckland Tuatara 44 - Zach Riley (17pts, 5ast, 2rbs), Dylan Wilkie (10pts, 1rb, 1ast, 1stl)

The Nelson Giants would lay out the welcome mat to the Hawks in the final Rapid match of the round, but the visitors wouldn't feel very welcome as a side that had been playing with confidence ran into a buzzsaw. The Giants are on top of the Rapid ladder for a reason, as an 8-0 run (6 from the foul line) in the opening term gave the home team an early lead that would expand as the game moved along. The Giants scoring would be balanced in the second quarter with no one player taking the reigns for long and only a buzzer beating Campbell Scott triple gave the score line respectability,  the home team up 23-11 at the break. When Hayden Jones wen 1-2 from the stripe to cap an 8-0 run to start the 3rd, the game was well and truly in hand, as the Giants stayed on top of the table with a dominant 42-20 win. 

NBS Nelson Giants 42 - Hayden Jones (18pts, 6rbs, 1ast), Kaleb Chamberlain (8pts, 2rbs, 1ast), James matthews (7pts, 4rbs)

Total Energies Hawke's Bay Hawks 20 - Dante Matakatea (7pts, 3rbs, 1ast), Kahu Treacher (6pts, 3rbs)