The Wellington Saints made a powerful statement in the early stages of the New Zealand National Basketball League season, securing a hard-fought 90-82 victory over the Auckland Tuatara at home on April 27, 2026. The clash between two perennial title contenders lived up to its billing, with the Saints using a strong second-half surge to pull away and hand Auckland their second consecutive defeat.

Match Overview

Played at a high tempo from the opening tip, the game saw both teams exchange leads in a tightly contested first half. The Tuatara, known for their disciplined offense, managed to keep pace with the Saints' up-tempo attack, heading into the halftime break with a narrow 46-44 advantage. However, the Saints tightened their defensive rotations after the interval, limiting Auckland's scoring opportunities and flipping the momentum decisively in their favor.

Wellington's balanced scoring proved to be the difference, with four players finishing in double figures. The home side shot an efficient 48% from the field and converted 14 of 17 free throws in the closing quarter to ice the game. Auckland, despite a valiant effort, struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 of 22 three-point attempts, which ultimately stalled their rally attempts.

Key Moments

• Third Quarter Surge: The Saints outscored the Tuatara 26-16 in the third period, turning a two-point halftime deficit into a comfortable 70-62 lead headed into the final frame.
• Free Throw Shooting Decides It: Wellington made 10 of their 14 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter alone, while Auckland managed just 5 of 8 from the stripe, a crucial margin in a tight contest.
• Defensive Stand: The Saints forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 18 points on the fast break, a key factor in building their advantage.

Standout Players

Wellington Saints: The home team was led by their veteran guard, who contributed 24 points and 8 assists, controlling the tempo throughout. The Saints' big man added a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the paint on both ends of the floor. A key bench contributor chipped in with 11 points and 4 steals, providing a spark off the bench in the decisive third quarter.

Auckland Tuatara: Despite the loss, Auckland's leading scorer poured in 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, showcasing his signature mid-range game. Their starting point guard contributed 8 assists and 3 steals, but the supporting cast struggled to find consistent scoring, with no other Tuatara player reaching 15 points.

Season Impact

The victory improves the Wellington Saints' record to 3-1 on the young NZNBL season, placing them in an early share of the top spot in the standings. The loss drops Auckland to 2-2, leaving the Tuatara in the middle of the pack as they look to regroup ahead of a tough upcoming road trip. Given the historical rivalry between these two franchises—Wellington and Auckland have combined for 14 league championships—this early result could hold significant tiebreaker implications come playoff time.