Posted on Monday, May 25th, 2026
Game Preview: Saints vs Hawks
Game Preview: Mills Albert Wellington Saints (5-3) v Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks (2-6)
The Mills Albert Wellington Saints return to TSB Arena on Monday night looking to respond after a tough road loss to the SBS Bank Southland Sharks, while the Big Barrel Hawks arrive in Wellington trying to get their momentum back after a setback in Pukekohe that has left injury questions moving forward.
For the Saints, the Southland result was a reminder of how quickly games can shift when turnovers and shot selection start to bite. Elijah Pepper was brilliant again, pouring in 43 points, but the Sharks’ early shooting burst and balanced production from Caleb Asberry, Rylan Jones and Brayden Inger proved too much. Wellington remains the league’s top scoring team, but today offers a chance to respond after a performance where the Saints never quite found the collective rhythm that had powered their recent form.
For the Hawks, the big question is how they respond after their two-game winning streak was stopped by Franklin. Hawke’s Bay had looked like a different team with Chase Jeter in the lineup and a more complete roster available, but Dan Grida’s injury against the Bulls has fans holding their breath. His availability could have a huge impact on the Hawks’ ability to match the Saints’ scoring, rebounding and everything else they do.
When: Monday 25 May, Rapid League 6.00pm, Sal’s NBL 7.00pm
Where: TSB Arena, Wellington
Watch: Live on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand, ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube everywhere else
Commentary: Brenton Vannisselroy and Troy McLean
Last Time Out
The Hawks were beaten 98-82 by the Franklin Bulls in Pukekohe. Franklin started fast through Carter Whitt, who put up 12 first-quarter points, but Hawke’s Bay stayed within reach early and then took the second quarter behind balanced production from its starting group.
The Hawks carried a three-point lead into halftime and opened the third with energy, but the injury to Grida changed the shape of the contest. Without one of their most important two-way players, the visitors tried to hang around, but Derrin Boyd and Whitt took control of the game to keep the result out of reach and hand the Hawks their sixth loss of the season.
Franklin Bulls: Derrin Boyd (33p, 6r, 3a, 3s), Carter Whitt (23p, 5r, 14a, 3s), Jace Carter (14p, 14r, 3a, 3s)
Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks: Keanu Rasmussen (19p, 5r, 5a), Jackson Ball (18p, 5a), Jeremy McLaughlin (17p, 9r)
The Saints were beaten by the Southland Sharks in a game circled as the game of the round featuring a 2025 finals rematch. Southland came out firing from deep, shooting a blistering 7-of-8 from three to open the game and immediately putting Wellington under pressure.
The Saints worked their way back into touch, but the Sharks answered with another major run to push the margin back out. Pepper’s individual brilliance led to a Sal’s NBL season high 43, and kept Wellington from falling completely to the wayside, but turnovers and tough shot selection stopped the Saints from sustaining enough pressure to a home side that seems to get better with every outing. Southland’s backcourt of Asberry and Jones controlled key stretches, while Inger added another strong two-way performance.
SBS Bank Southland Sharks: Caleb Asberry (26p, 6r, 7a), Rylan Jones (26p, 5r, 5a, 5s), Brayden Inger (15p, 11r, 2s)
Mills Albert Wellington Saints: Elijah Pepper (43p, 5r, 2a), Izayah Le’afa (10p, 11r, 8a), Akech Aliir (11p, 5r)
What to Expect
Projected Starters
Mills Albert Wellington Saints
G: Elijah Pepper
G: Izayah Le’afa
F: Carlin Davison
F: Donte Ingram
F: Akech Aliir
Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks
G: Jackson Ball
G: Keanu Rasmussen
G: Dan Grida (Q)
F: Jeremy McLaughlin
C: Chase Jeter
For Hawke’s Bay, Grida is questionable after the injury suffered against Franklin and his availability is key to the a Hawks squads hopes of coming out with a road win.
If Grida plays, the Hawks starters have a much better chance of matching Wellington physically and in the scoring race. He has been aggressive on the glass and with the ball in hand all season long, while Rasmussen is just two games removed from a 39 point haul that is indicative of his scoring prowess. Ball has assed scoring and facilitation while Jeter and McLaughlin are responsible for the the interior presence on both ends.
The Saints still have the league’s most explosive offensive profile. Pepper leads the competition in scoring and did have that season high 43 points last time out. While Aliir, Ingram, Davison and Hunt all average double figures. Le’afa’s has also added another layer of intrigue to the lineup since his return, with 8.5 assists per game through his four appearances.
Can the Hawks can keep Wellington out of transition and win enough of the rebounding battle to slow the Saints’ scoring in transition and the half-court? Wellington leads the league in scoring and sits second in scoring margin, while Hawke’s Bay has enough shot-making to test teams but has struggled to defend the three-point line and contain efficient offences. If the Saints get Pepper and Davison running early, it could become a long night. If Rasmussen, Ball and Jeter can steady the game and Grida is able to contribute, the Hawks have enough talent to make this a real road challenge.
Matchup to Watch: Elijah Pepper v Keanu Rasmussen
Pepper is coming off a league season high 43-point performance against Southland and is the league’s leading scorer at 29.0 points per game. He is also averaging 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals, indicating his impact goes far beyond shot-making. When he gets downhill, finds rhythm from deep or creates turnovers to ignite the offence the Saints’ attack can explode quickly.
Rasmussen has been one of Hawke’s Bay’s most consistent offensive threats, averaging 21.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He held the Hawks together in their win over Nelson and again gave them production against Franklin. With Grida questionable, Rasmussen may need to carry even more creation and scoring responsibility.
If Pepper wins this matchup decisively, Wellington’s offence can overwhelm the Hawks. If Rasmussen can keep pace and force the Saints to defend late into possessions, Hawke’s Bay can keep the game within reach.
Matchup to Watch: Akech Aliir and Jordan Hunt v Chase Jeter and Jeremy McLaughlin
Aliir has been highly efficient for Wellington, averaging 15.1 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field and 85 percent at the line. Hunt gives the Saints another strong interior option off the bench at 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds, while also sitting among the league’s best shot blockers. Together, they give Wellington rim pressure, rebounding and enough mobility to play at pace for a full 40 minutes.
Jeter’s presence has changed Hawke’s Bay. He gives them size, rim protection and a true centre, while McLaughlin has been efficient and productive at 14.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 block per game. The Hawks looked far more balanced when they had that size available, and they will need it against a Saints side that rebounds well and attacks the rim.
If Aliir and Hunt win the interior battle, the Saints can punish Hawke’s Bay inside and create kick-outs for their shooters. If Jeter and McLaughlin hold their own on the glass and protect the rim without fouling, the Hawks can keep Wellington from getting too many easy points.
Matchup to Watch: Carlin Davison v Dan Grida
Davison gives the Saints one of the league’s best all around talents who can impact the game in multiple areas. He is averaging 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.5 steals, and creates value in the many different ways he can influence a game. He can rebound and push, defend multiple positions, create for others and keep Wellington’s offence flowing with his own scoring if teams load up on Elijah Pepper.
Grida has been Hawke’s Bay’s most important player, averaging 20.9 points and 10.1 rebounds. His scoring is key, but his rebounding and physicality are just as important for a Hawks side that needs to match the Saints on the glass. The key question lingers of how close to full strength he is after being injured against Franklin before missing the majority of the second half less than 48 hours ago.
If Davison can turn this into a pace-and-pressure matchup, the Saints can use his ball-handling and passing to make Hawke’s Bay defend multiple actions before Pepper, Akech Aliir or Donte Ingram get involved. If Grida is healthy enough to impose himself physically, especially on the boards, the Hawks have a much better chance of slowing Wellington’s transition game and creating extra possessions.
For the Saints, Davison’s defence and decision-making are central. For the Hawks, Grida’s health, rebounding and ability to create offence through contact may be the difference between hanging around and being overwhelmed by Wellington’s depth.
Individual Stats Leaders
Category
Mills Albert Wellington Saints
Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Leading scorer
Elijah Pepper 29.0
Keanu Rasmussen 21.6
Leading rebounder
Akech Aliir 7.3
Dan Grida 10.1
Leading assists
Izayah Le’afa 8.5
Jackson Ball 4.7
Best FG%
Aubrey Chunga 63%
Clifton Bush III 82%
Best 3PT FG%
Aubrey Chunga 44%
Jackson Ball 35%
Blocks
Jordan Hunt 1.6
Chase Jeter 2.0
Steals
Elijah Pepper 3.0
Dan Grida 1.9
Minutes
Elijah Pepper 34.6
Keanu Rasmussen 33.8
Stats that Matter
Stat
Mills Albert Wellington Saints
Big Barrel Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Points Per Game
99.9 (1st)
92.6 (7th)
Points Allowed Per Game
90.4 (5th)
96.9 (9th)
Scoring Margin
+9.5 (2nd)
-4.3 (8th)
Field Goal %
50% (1st)
47% (6th)
Field Goal % Defence
45% (5th)
48% (9th)
Free Throw %
75% (2nd)
67% (8th)
3-Point %
31% (8th)
30% (9th)
3-Point % Defence
34% (7th)
38% (11th)
3-Point FG Made
10.1 (5th )
7.9 (9th)
Rebounds Per Game
43.5 (3rd)
41.8 (6th)
Rebounding Margin
+5.0 (1st)
+1.9 (4th)
Offensive Rebounds Per Game
9.8 (5th)
9.6 (7th)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game
31.0 (1st)
26.4 (8th)
Offensive Rebound %
27% (6th)
26% (7th)
Defensive Rebound %
76% (3rd)
73% (5th)
Assists Per Game
25.6 (1st)
18.4 (8th)
Steals Per Game
9.4 (1st)
6.8 (8th)
Blocks Per Game
3.8 (3rd)
2.8 (7th)
Assist/Turnover Ratio
1.65 (5th)
1.56 (7th)
Turnover Margin
-0.9 (8th)
-1.5 (10th)
Final Word
The numbers underline Wellington’s edge. The Saints lead the league in points per game, field goal percentage, assists and steals, while also ranking first in rebounding margin and defensive rebounds per game. Hawke’s Bay has improved since getting more of its roster together, but the Hawks are still allowing opponents to shoot too well from three, with their 38 percent three-point defence ranking last in the league.
For the Saints, this is about getting back to their collective identity after the Southland loss. Pepper can carry scoring stretches, but Wellington is at its best when Davison and Le’afa are moving the ball, Aliir and Hunt are putting pressure on the rim, and the defence is creating live-ball chances.
For the Hawks, the equation starts with health. If Grida is available and effective, Hawke’s Bay has enough scoring and rebounding to test Wellington. If he is limited or unavailable, the load on Rasmussen, Ball, Jeter and McLaughlin becomes much heavier. Either way, the Hawks need to protect the ball, defend the arc better than their season numbers suggest, and make this a half-court game rather than letting the Saints run.