At Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland: Otago Nuggets 81 (Keith Williams 34, Tray Boyd 19, Sam Timmins 10) Auckland Tuatara 73 (Siler Schneider 16, Chris Johnson 13, Rob Loe 13, Dontae Russo-Nance 11, Taki Fahrensohn 10) 1Q: 17-22, HT: 43-42, 3Q: 64-59.
Eight years after folding due to financial issues, the Otago Nuggets are kings of the National Basketball League.
Otago completed a fairytale storyline, winning their first NBL title and their second trophy in three years after overcoming the Auckland Tuatara 81-73 in Saturday’s grand final.
The Tuatara were attempting to capture a title in their first season in the competition, but met their match in a classy Nuggets team. They silenced the Tuatara home crowd at Eventfinda Stadium on the North Shore, who were hoping to witness history.
Both teams surprised getting through to the grand final with the Nuggets seeded third and the Tuatara fifth – knocking over higher ranked opponents to make the big dance.
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The Nuggets will soak up this triumph for some time.
They took out the Covid-19 inspired NBL Showdown in 2020, but that success carried an asterisk with it not being a true home and away format and the Wellington Saints, Hawke’s Bay Hawks, and Southland Sharks not involved.
“It just can’t be understated from the top of the organisation right all the way down to the DPs (development players) back home in Dunedin that come and go in their free time to play with us. Everybody wanted it as bad as each other. Everyone work so hard,” Nuggets captain Sam Timmins said.
“Everyone cared so much. It was testament to the hard work everyone put in.”
Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Otago Nuggets’ guard Tray Boyd goes up for a basket in the NBL grand final against the Tuatara on Saturday night.
To think the Nuggets disappeared from the NBL after the 2014 season due to financial problems and were in the wilderness for five seasons from 2015-19 watching from the outside.
Returning for the Showdown in 2020, the Nuggets have thrived under head coach Brent Matehaere, who has done a tremendous job with the side.
American guard Keith Williams delivered a grand final MVP showing, exploding for a game-high 34 points, to go with eight rebounds, and a steal.
The 24-year-old, who is playing overseas for the first time after four years of college hoops at Cincinnati, looks a man with a bright future.
It was edge of your seat stuff in the final minutes with the teams going blow for blow. In a thrilling sequence of plays, Rob Loe produced two blocks in a row for the Tuatara with Todd Withers responding for the Nuggets.
Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Otago Nuggets’ American guard Tray Boyd brings the ball up court in the NBL grand final.
Williams wasn’t the only hero for the Nuggets. Standout American guard Tray Boyd added 19 points, three rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Compatriot Withers was a defensive force again with nine boards, three blocks, and two steals to go with seven points.
Homegrown Otago lad Timmins was also effective at both ends with 10 points on 5-8 shooting and nine rebounds.
Timmins was full of praise for their outstanding American import trio: “Any time Americans come into a New Zealand team there’s always culture differences. Everyone is trying to feel each other out, but we’ve got three amazing humans who came and joined this team.
“Forget basketball. These dudes we’re going to stay in contact for sure. Amazing human beings, I can’t say it enough. Basketball aside, I’m grateful to have met them.”
American guard Siler Schneider top-scored with 16 points, five assists, and five steals for the Tuatara, while Loe contributed a 13 point-13 rebound double-double.
The key moment came with 54 seconds left when Boyd stripped Schneider off the ball and Williams scored at the other end to put Otago up four (77-73).
Otago pushed their advantage to 10 points (62-52) with three minutes left in the third quarter, but the plucky Tuatara refused to go away.
Late baskets from Schneider and Dontae Russo-Nance pulled the Tuatara back into it, trimming the Nuggets’ lead to five (64-59) entering the last 10 minutes.
Back-to-back baskets from Williams, including a three, had the Nuggets riding with confidence up eight (72-64) with just under seven to go.
The Tuatara opened up a 39-30 lead late in the first half, but Boyd took over, hitting back-to-back threes and a two point jumper to cut into the deficit.
Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Auckland Tuatara centre Chris Johnson tries to keep the ball in play in the NBL grand final against the Nuggets.
Otago’s powerful finish to the second quarter saw them head into the main break with a 43-42 edge with the grand final firmly in the balance.
Both teams struggled from deep in the first half with the Tuatara converting just three from 12 from beyond the arc (25%) and the Nuggets five of 16 (31%).
Otago were able to limit the impact of experienced Tuatara centre Chris Johnson, putting up just two attempts from the field, and scoring two points in the first half.
It didn’t take long for Johnson’s class to shine through. He became more involved offensively in the third quarter and created an impact with his defence, shot blocking, and rebounding.
There were some early nerves from the Tuatara, who only made three of their first nine attempts from the field and committed six turnovers.
The Tuatara were cold to start the game, but Taki Fahrensohn and Schneider were able to spark them offensively.
An 13-2 run from the Tuatara to close the first quarter saw them hold a 22-17 advantage after the opening 10 minutes.
Even in the closing stages, the game could have gone either way, but Williams was the difference-maker for the Nuggets, leading his side to a historic title win.
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