NBA
PBA
WNBA
NBA Summer League
Philippines MPBL
PBA Governors' Cup
Philippines Chairman Cup
Africa
Americas
Asian
Australia
China
Europe
Germany
International
Italy
Japan
Philippines
Russia
South Korea
Spain
United States
The game beginsThis section beginsJump ball starts
Ariel jumped the ball successfully
Johnson failed to jump the ballJosh Dearing committed a personal foulPepper was fouledPepper hit the first free throwPepper missed his second free throwJohnson defensive reboundJosh Dearing missed a 3-point shotIoan offensive reboundJosh Dearing made a pass errorDavidson stealsDavidson missed a 3-point shotDefensive reboundsJosh Deering hit a 3-pointerRobert Lowe assistedDavidson made a passing errorRiley hit a 2-point drift layupD. Ingram missed a two-point breakthrough layupJosh Dearing defensive reboundRiley hit a 2-point drift layupJosh Dearing assistsPepper missed a two-point breakthrough layupHunter offensive reboundHunter made a pass errorJohnson stealsHunt missed a 2-point shotHunter offensive reboundJosh Deering missed a 2-point turnaround jumperHunter defensive reboundAriel hit a 2-point throwHunter assistedHunter committed a personal foulJohnson was fouledRiley made a pass errorDavidson stealsHunter hit a 2-point throwDavidson assistedRiley committed a personal foulHunter was fouledHunter hit the first free throwRobert Lowe missed a two-point shotHunter defensive reboundPepper hit a 3-point shotDavidson assistedRobert Lowe hit a 2-point drift layupJosh Dearing assistsPepper made a pass errorRobert Lowe stealsJohnson missed a two-point shotHunter defensive reboundPepper hit a 2-point turnaround jumperRobert Lowe dribbled the ball into errorPepper stealsDavidson committed an offensive foulDavidson's offensive errorRobert Lowe was fouledThe door is replacedHunt replacedVodanovic was replacedRobert Lowe replacedVodanovic hit a two-point throwJohnson assistedJones was replacedD. Ingram replacedPepper missed a 3-point shotIoan defensive reboundJohnson hitRiley assistedJohnson committed a personal foulAriel was fouledWyatt replacedJosh Dearing replacedAriel hit the first free throwAriel hit the second free throwRiley hit a 2-point throwVodanovic assistedPepper missed a 3-point shotJonga added an offensive reboundHe added 2 points in the goal and missed a layupOffensive reboundsAriel was replacedDavidson replacedHunter replacedRobertson was replacedRobert Lowe replacedJohnson replacedJohnson capHunter hit a 3-point shotPepper assistsRiley missed a 3-point shotPepper defensive reboundHe added a 3-point shot from inside the goalPepper assistsVodanovic missed a two-point hooker shotRobertson defensive reboundIoan committed a personal foulRobertson was fouledJosh Deering replacedIoan was replacedD. Ingram replacedPepper replacedRobertson hit the first free throwRobertson hit his second free throwRiley missed a two-point turnaround jumperRiley offensive reboundJunga committed a personal foulVodanovic was fouledRiley hit the first free throwRiley missed his second free throwRiley offensive reboundVodanovic assistedRiley missed a 3-point shotWylie offensive reboundJosh Dearing missed a 3-point shotHunter defensive reboundD. Ingram missed a 3-point shotJosh Dearing defensive reboundRobertson committed a personal foulVodanovic was fouledJonga replacedThe door is replacedDavidson replacedRobertson replacedAriel replacedPepper replacedWilkie replacedRiley replacedDavidson committed a personal foulWilkie was fouledJones was replacedDavidson replacedWilkie hit the first free throwWilkie hit his second free throwD. Ingram missed a two-point breakthrough layupRobert Lowe defensive reboundVodanovic hit a 2-point drift layupWilkie assistsVodanovic committed a personal foulD. Ingram was fouledD. Ingram hit the first free throwD. Ingram hit the second free throwRobert Lowe hit a two-point throwWilkie assistsAriel missed a 3-point shotThe first quarter endsThe 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.
Wellington Saints vs Auckland Tuatara Live Score, Stats & Results
Match Overview
The Wellington Saints vs Auckland Tuatara fixture is part of the New Zealand NBL during the 2026 season. Follow live scores, New Zealand NBL fixtures, match statistics, New Zealand NBL standings and New Zealand NBL match results for Wellington Saints vs Auckland Tuatara on Tiger Scores 365.
Head-to-Head Record
Previous Wellington Saints vs Auckland Tuatara meetings provide useful insight into past results, points scored and overall head-to-head performance between the two teams.
Team Form
Recent results and performances help illustrate the current form of both teams ahead of Wellington Saints vs Auckland Tuatara. Compare recent wins, losses and scoring records before tip-off.
New Zealand NBL Standings
League standings show the current position, points and performance of Wellington Saints, Auckland Tuatara and other teams competing in the New Zealand NBL.
Match Statistics
Follow points, rebounds, assists, field goals and other key statistics for Wellington Saints vs Auckland Tuatara. Tiger Scores 365 provides live and post-match data throughout the fixture.