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The game beginsThis section beginsJump ball starts
Johnson jumped the ball successfully
Emi Lukonen failed to jump the ballJosh Dearing missed a 3-point shotHunter defensive reboundIoan committed a personal foulHunter was fouledJudd missed a 3-point shotOffensive reboundsEmi Lukonen missed a 3-point shotRobert Lowe defensive reboundRobert Lowe hit a 2-point shotRiley assistedJohnson committed a personal foulEmi Lukonen was fouledEmi Lukonen missed a 3-point shotJohnson defensive reboundJosh Dearing missed a 3-point shotJudd defensive reboundJudd missed a 2-point pull-up jumperRiley defensive reboundIoan missed a 3-point shotOffensive reboundsMcNutt committed a personal foulJohnson was fouledIoan made a pass errorMilner missed a 3-point shotRobert Lowe defensive reboundRiley missed a 3-point shotHunter defensive reboundJudd hit a 2-point throwHunter assistedIoan committed a personal foulJudd was fouledWilkie replacedIoan was replacedJudd hit the first free throwEmi Lukonen committed a personal foulRobert Lowe was fouledMilner replacedMcNutt was replacedDempster replacedMatthews replacedRobert Lowe hit the first free throwJohnson assistedRobert Lowe hit the second free throwRiley committed a personal foulHunter was fouledHunter hit the first free throwHunter hit his second free throwEmi Lukonen assistedRiley hit a 3-point shotRobert Lowe assistedHunter missed a 3-point shotOffensive reboundsVodanovic was replacedJohnson replacedJudd missed a 2-point shotRobert Lowe defensive reboundVodanovic hit a two-point throwRobert Lowe assistedDempster hit a 3-point shotMatthews assistedJudd committed a personal foulVodanovic was fouledWyatt replacedJosh Dearing replacedJudd replacedEmi Lukonen was replacedMcNutt was replacedMilner replacedWilkie missed a 3-point shotRiley offensive reboundRiley missed a 3-point shotMatthews defensive reboundMatthews made a dribble errorVodanovic stealsRobert Lowe missed a two-point breakthrough layupWilkie offensive reboundWilkie missed a 3-point shotDempster defensive reboundDempster hit a 3-point shotMcNutt assistedRobert Lowe made a pass errorMatthews stealsDempster hit a 3-point shotMcNutt assistedVodanovic made a mistake in passingMcNutt stealsMatthews missed a 2-point shotMcNutt offensive reboundMcNutt hitPauseRobert Lowe replacedWilkie replacedIoan replacedLegge replacedMatthews committed a personal foulLegger was fouledRiley missed a 2-point shotMilner defensive reboundVodanovic committed a personal foulHunter was fouledJosh Deering replacedRiley replacedHunt missed the first free throwDead ball offensive reboundHunt missed his second free throwVodanovic defensive reboundIoan missed a 3-point shotMilner defensive reboundHunter missed a 2-point step-back jumperWyley defensive reboundMatthews committed a personal foulWylley was fouledMilner replacedHunt replacedEmi Lukonen was replacedJudd replacedWylie hit the first free throwWylie hit his second free throwMatthews hit a 3-pointerMcNutt assistedLegger missed a 3-point shotEmi Lukonen defensive reboundMcNutt hit a 2-point throwWyly committed a personal foulMcNutt was fouledRiley replacedIoan was replacedMcNutt hit the first free throwMilner replacedDempster was replacedVodanovic hit a two-point throwJosh Dearing assistsMcNutt hit a 2-point pull-up jumperJosh Dearing missed a two-point shotJudd defensive reboundMcNutt missed a 3-point shotWyley defensive reboundVodanovic missed a 3-point shotJudd defensive reboundMilner missed a 3-point shotDefensive reboundsJudd committed a personal foulJosh Dearing was fouledHunter replacedMatthews was replacedJosh Deering hit the first free throwDempster replacedEmi Lukonen was replacedJosh Deering hit the second free throwHunt missed a two-point hooker shotJosh Dearing defensive reboundThe first quarter endsAuckland Tuatara Edge Nelson Giants in NBL Thriller
The Auckland Tuatara secured a nail-biting 99-97 victory over the Nelson Giants in a pulsating New Zealand National Basketball League contest on May 10, 2026. In front of an electric home crowd, the Tuatara held their nerve in a high-scoring affair that went down to the final possession, demonstrating the depth and resilience that has made them one of the league's most formidable teams this season.
Match Overview
From the opening tip-off, both teams traded baskets at a breathtaking pace. The Tuatara used their home-court advantage to establish a slight edge in the first quarter, but the Giants—known for their disciplined defense and transition offense—refused to let the game slip away. By halftime, the margin remained razor-thin, setting the stage for a tense second half that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Key Moments in the Fourth Quarter
The final period was a showcase of clutch basketball. With the score tied at 88 and under three minutes to play, Auckland's backcourt duo combined for a critical 6-0 run that gave the Tuatara a 94-88 lead. However, the Giants quickly responded with a 7-2 spurt, cutting the deficit to 96-95 with 30 seconds remaining. After a Tuatara timeout, a well-executed pick-and-roll led to a mid-range jumper that pushed the lead to three. Nelson had one last chance, but a contested three-pointer at the buzzer rimmed out, allowing Auckland to escape with the two-point win.
Standout Performers
- Auckland Tuatara: The home team was led by a balanced scoring attack. Their starting guard finished with a game-high 28 points and 7 assists, while the power forward contributed a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. The bench also provided a spark, chipping in 22 crucial points.
- Nelson Giants: Despite the loss, the Giants' star forward posted 26 points and 9 rebounds. Their point guard orchestrated the offense effectively, tallying 14 assists to go with 15 points. However, the visitors struggled with turnovers in the decisive moments, committing three in the final two minutes.
Season and Table Implications
This victory keeps the Tuatara firmly in the upper echelon of the NBL standings, strengthening their playoff positioning. For Nelson, the narrow defeat is a tough blow, but they remain a dangerous mid-table side capable of upsetting any opponent on their day. The head-to-head result also gives Auckland a crucial tiebreaker advantage should the teams meet again in the postseason.
The New Zealand NBL continues to deliver high-quality, entertaining basketball, and this match was a perfect example of the league's competitiveness. Fans of both teams will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this rivalry.