Posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026
Game Preview: Giants v Jets
Here’s the Giants v Jets preview.
The NBS Nelson Giants return to Trafalgar Centre on Wednesday night looking to turn a home court advantage into a much needed win when they host the Property Brokers Manawatū Jets.
Both teams come in off tight defeats, but with different pressure points to address. Nelson pushed their top of the table opponent before eventually falling bay double figures, while Manawatū went down in a shootout on their home court.
The Giants will need to find enough scoring to reward the defensive work they have shown in stretches. The Jets must stiffen their defensive efforts to get enough stops to support an offence that continues to produce at a high level. With both sides in a large chasing pack outside the top six, this is a game that carries urgency as we carry towards the post-season.
When: Wednesday 17 June, Rapid League 6.00pm, Sal’s NBL 7.00pm
Where: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Watch: Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand, ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube everywhere else
Commentary: Maia Williamson and Judd Flavell
Last Time Out
The Giants were beaten 95-85 by the SBS Bank Southland Sharks.
Nelson started strongly, with Kruz Perrott-Hunt’s shot-making and Liam Judd’s attacking play helping the Giants to a 25-21 lead at quarter time. The Sharks worked their way back into the contest and eventually built the margin out, but Nelson continued to respond through Samuel Dempster and Shane Gatling.
Southland sealed the result through Rylan Jones’ control and the all-round impact of Sam Timmins, while Brayden Inger delivered a standout scoring night. The Giants kept fighting throughout the second half, but Southland had enough answers to close out the road win.
NBS Nelson Giants 85: Tohi Smith-Milner (17p, 7r, 3a), Shane Gatling (16p, 2a), Kruz Perrott-Hunt (15p, 8r, 5a)
SBS Bank Southland Sharks 95: Brayden Inger (25p, 7r, 1a), Sam Timmins (17p, 6r, 4a), Keylan Boone (15p, 11r)
The Jets were beaten 96-92 by The Northern Group Tauranga Whai in Palmerston North.
The Whai would eventually fend off a determined Manawatū comeback in a fast-paced contest. The Jets attacked the basket early through Tai Webster, Kaden Sand and Jamal Poplar Jr, but Tauranga built momentum and took a 28-20 lead into the first break.
The Whai maintained their advantage through the second quarter, helped by outside shooting and strong moments from Jordan Ngatai and Taine Murray. But the Jets came out firing in the third. Poplar Jr opened the half from deep, Webster attacked the rim, and Isiah Small added another strong interior presence as Manawatū cut the gap to just two heading into the fourth.
The final quarter stayed tight, but Ngatai delivered from deep late and the Whai finished the job with key threes and free throws.
Property Brokers Manawatū Jets 92: Tai Webster (37p, 1r, 4a), Isiah Small (23p, 9r, 4a), Kaden Sand (9p)
The Northern Group Tauranga Whai 96: Jordan Ngatai (25p, 8r, 2a), Taine Murray (17p, 3r, 3a), Xanda Marsters (17p, 2r)
What to Expect
Projected Starters
NBS Nelson Giants
G: Alex McNaught
G: Kruz Perrott-Hunt
G: Liam Judd
F: Eemi Luukkonen
C: Tohi Smith-Milner
Property Brokers Manawatū Jets
G: Corey Webster
G: Tai Webster
G: Kaden Sand
F: Jamal Poplar Jr
C: Isiah Small
The Giants are one of the better three-point defensive teams in the league, but they have struggled to turn that into enough wins because the offence has not consistently matched the defence. Nelson hasn’t been able produce enough points, in large part to a lack of efficiency from the field.
That puts pressure on Perrott-Hunt, Gatling, Judd and McNaught to generate clean looks. Perrott-Hunt remains the central piece, averaging 20.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists, while Gatling gives Nelson another scorer who can create his own shot in the half-court. Smith-Milner’s passing and rebounding willl be key, especially against a Jets frontcourt that has been strong on the glass.
it wouldn’t be hard to argue that Manawatū’s offence has more firepower. The Jets have proven potent, with Tai Webster, Poplar Jr, Sand, Corey Webster and Small all capable of putting pressure on the scoreboard. Tai Webster is coming off a gunslinger of a performance, while Poplar Jr and Sand have been productive all season long. Off the bench Lukah Richards will be impactful upfront while Kazlo Evans Jr can lift the pace on both ends.
The issue for the Jets has been its defence. They are giving up over 100 points per game, a league worst, and opponents are finding space on the perimeter as they drain 12.2 threes per game against them. Nelson has not been a high-efficiency scoring team, but if Manawatū gives the Giants clean rhythm looks at home, the scoreboard can shift quickly.
Pace will be a determining factor. The Jets will want to push, attack early and create offence before Nelson’s defence is set. The Giants will want to keep the game organised, make the Jets guard deeper into the shot clock and force Manawatū to execute in the half court.
Matchup to Watch: Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Shane Gatling v Tai Webster and Corey Webster
Perrott-Hunt and Gatling give Nelson its clearest path to enough offence. Perrott-Hunt has carried a heavy load all season, averaging 20.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists, while Gatling has added another scorer who can get to his spots and create late in the clock. Against Southland, both had moments, but Nelson will need more sustained scoring if it is going to hold off the Jets.
Tai and Corey Webster give Manawatū a huge scoring floor. Tai is coming off a 37-point performance against Tauranga and has quickly become a central figure in the Jets offence. Corey gives Manawatū more shot-making and experience in every aspect of an offensive attack, and his presence means defences cannot focus solely on Poplar Jr and Sand.
Nelson will need to make the Websters work for every touch. If Tai gets downhill and Corey gets clean looks, the Jets can build runs quickly. The Jets will need to keep Perrott-Hunt and Gatling from controlling tempo at home while still forcing them off the three point line.
If Nelson wins this battle, the Giants can dictate terms. If the Websters find shot quality, Manawatū’s offence will be difficult to slow down.
Matchup to Watch: Tohi Smith-Milner and Eemi Luukkonen v Isiah Small and Jamal Poplar Jr
Smith-Milner gives Nelson perimeter gravity, rebounding and passing from the centre spot. The offence hasn’t been as consistent as you would expect, with averages of 10.9 points and 8.0 rebounds, but his ability to connect the offence from inside and out helps open space for the Giants’ guards. Luukkonen adds efficient finishing and strong body on the glass, which Nelson will need against a the potent Jets frontcourt.
Small has given Manawatū an interior lift, averaging 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. He was excellent against last time out, finishing with 23 points and 9 rebounds, and his activity around the rim gives the Jets a reliable inside presence.
Poplar Jr is a different kind of problem. He is averaging 22.5 points and 9.8 rebounds, and his combination of strength, scoring and rebounding makes him one of the hardest matchups in the league. Even when the Jets are not getting stops, Poplar Jr can keep them attached with second chances and tough scoring.
For Nelson, Smith-Milner and Luukkonen need to compete on the glass and make Manawatū’s bigs defend. For the Jets, Small and Poplar Jr need to keep applying pressure inside and on the boards.
If Nelson holds this matchup close, the Giants give their shooters and creators a chance. If Small and Poplar Jr control the paint, Manawatū’s offence gets a powerful platform to work from.
Individual Leaders
Category
NBS Nelson Giants
Property Brokers Manawatū Jets
Leading scorer
Perrott-Hunt 20.3 / Gatling 20.0
T. Webster 24.0 / Poplar Jr 22.5
Leading rebounder
Tohi Smith-Milner 8.0
Small 10.0 / Poplar Jr 9.8
Leading assists
Alex McNaught 4.9
Tai Webster 6.0
Best FG%
Eemi Luukkonen 52%
Isiah Small 58%
Best 3PT FG%
Samuel Dempster 39%
Kaden Sand 50%
Blocks
Tohi Smith-Milner 0.9
Richards 1.4 / Small 1.2
Steals
Alex McNaught 1.4
Kaden Sand 1.5
Minutes
Kruz Perrott-Hunt 32.9
Kaden Sand 33.6
Stats that Matter
Stat
NBS Nelson Giants
Property Brokers Manawatū Jets
Points Per Game
83.8 ppg (10th)
92.2 ppg (6th)
Points Allowed Per Game
90.5 ppg (7th)
100.5 ppg (11th)
Scoring Margin
-6.7 (9th)
-8.4 (10th)
Field Goal %
41% (11th)
47% (5th)
Field Goal % Defence
45% (4th)
48% (8th)
Free Throw %
75% (2nd)
72% (5th)
3-Point %
31% (9th)
35% (3rd)
3-Point % Defence
30% (1st)
36% (11th)
3-Point FG Made
10.3 (4th)
7.8 (10th)
Rebounds Per Game
42.1 (5th)
40.4 (8th)
Rebounding Margin
-2.0 (8th)
-0.4 (5th)
Offensive Rebounds Per Game
8.8 (9th)
10.5 (4th)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game
28.3 (4th)
26.5 (7th)
Offensive Rebound %
23% (9th)
29% (4th)
Defensive Rebound %
73% (6th)
72% (7th)
Assists Per Game
17.6 (10th)
18.5 (8th)
Steals Per Game
6.5 (9th)
6.1 (10th)
Blocks Per Game
2.2 (10th)
4.3 (2nd)
Turnover Margin
-1.3 (9th)
-1.2 (8th)
Assist/Turnover Ratio
1.41 (9th)
1.37 (10th)
The Last Word
This is a game both sides will feel they can win, and both teams need to win to gain needed headway.
Nelson has the stronger defensive profile and the home floor, but the Giants need to find more offensive consistency. Perrott-Hunt and Gatling give them some punch, Judd can stretch the floor, McNaught can organise, and Smith-Milner gives them a steady frontcourt presence.
Manawatū has the more explosive offence, especially with Tai Webster now in the mix alongside Corey Webster, Sand, Poplar Jr and Small. The Jets can score quickly and in different ways, but their defence has left them chasing games far too often.
The Giants need to turn defence into control of the game. The Jets need to turn offence into separation that lasts.
If Nelson defends the three-point line, keeps the game in the half court and gets enough scoring from its main creators, Trafalgar Centre could be the difference. If Manawatū gets pace, paint touches and another big night from its stars, the Jets have the firepower to grab a road win.