Purchase Tickets Here<\/a><\/p>\nLast Time Out<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Bay stayed within reach early and then took the second quarter behind balanced production from its starting group.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Franklin Bulls: Derrin Boyd (33p, 6r, 3a, 3s), Carter Whitt (23p, 5r, 14a, 3s), Jace Carter (14p, 14r, 3a, 3s)
\nBig Barrel Hawke\u2019s Bay Hawks: Keanu Rasmussen (19p, 5r, 5a), Jackson Ball (18p, 5a), Jeremy McLaughlin (17p, 9r)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Saints worked their way back into touch, but the Sharks answered with another major run to push the margin back out. Pepper\u2019s 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\u2019s backcourt of Asberry and Jones controlled key stretches, while Inger added another strong two-way performance.<\/p>\n
SBS Bank Southland Sharks: Caleb Asberry (26p, 6r, 7a), Rylan Jones (26p, 5r, 5a, 5s), Brayden Inger (15p, 11r, 2s)
\nMills Albert Wellington Saints: Elijah Pepper (43p, 5r, 2a), Izayah Le\u2019afa (10p, 11r, 8a), Akech Aliir (11p, 5r)<\/p>\n
What to Expect<\/p>\n
Projected Starters<\/p>\n
Mills Albert Wellington Saints
\nG:\u00a0 \u00a0Elijah Pepper
\nG:\u00a0 \u00a0Izayah Le\u2019afa
\nF:\u00a0 \u00a0Carlin Davison
\nF:\u00a0 \u00a0Donte Ingram
\nF:\u00a0 \u00a0Akech Aliir<\/p>\n
Big Barrel Hawke\u2019s Bay Hawks
\nG:\u00a0 Jackson Ball
\nG:\u00a0 Keanu Rasmussen
\nG:\u00a0 Dan Grida (Q)
\nF:\u00a0 Jeremy McLaughlin
\nC:\u00a0 Chase Jeter<\/p>\n
For Hawke\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Saints still have the league\u2019s 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\u2019afa\u2019s has also added another layer of intrigue to the lineup since his return, with 8.5 assists per game through his four appearances.<\/p>\n
Can the Hawks can keep Wellington out of transition and win enough of the rebounding battle to slow the Saints\u2019 scoring in transition and the half-court? Wellington leads the league in scoring and sits second in scoring margin, while Hawke\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Matchup to Watch: Elijah Pepper v Keanu Rasmussen<\/p>\n
Pepper is coming off a league season high 43-point performance against Southland and is the league\u2019s 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\u2019 attack can explode quickly.<\/p>\n
Rasmussen has been one of Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
If Pepper wins this matchup decisively, Wellington\u2019s offence can overwhelm the Hawks. If Rasmussen can keep pace and force the Saints to defend late into possessions, Hawke\u2019s Bay can keep the game within reach.<\/p>\n
Matchup to Watch: Akech Aliir and Jordan Hunt v Chase Jeter and Jeremy McLaughlin<\/p>\n
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\u2019s best shot blockers. Together, they give Wellington rim pressure, rebounding and enough mobility to play at pace for a full 40 minutes.<\/p>\n
Jeter\u2019s presence has changed Hawke\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
If Aliir and Hunt win the interior battle, the Saints can punish Hawke\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Matchup to Watch: Carlin Davison v Dan Grida<\/p>\n
Davison gives the Saints one of the league\u2019s 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\u2019s offence flowing with his own scoring if teams load up on Elijah Pepper.<\/p>\n
Grida has been Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
If Davison can turn this into a pace-and-pressure matchup, the Saints can use his ball-handling and passing to make Hawke\u2019s 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\u2019s transition game and creating extra possessions.<\/p>\n
For the Saints, Davison\u2019s defence and decision-making are central. For the Hawks, Grida\u2019s health, rebounding and ability to create offence through contact may be the difference between hanging around and being overwhelmed by Wellington\u2019s depth.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Individual Stats Leaders
\n
\n
\n
\nCategory
\nMills Albert Wellington Saints
\nBig Barrel Hawke\u2019s Bay Hawks
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nLeading scorer
\nElijah Pepper 29.0
\nKeanu Rasmussen 21.6
\n
\n
\nLeading rebounder
\nAkech Aliir 7.3
\nDan Grida 10.1
\n
\n
\nLeading assists
\nIzayah Le\u2019afa 8.5
\nJackson Ball 4.7
\n
\n
\nBest FG%
\nAubrey Chunga 63%
\nClifton Bush III 82%
\n
\n
\nBest 3PT FG%
\nAubrey Chunga 44%
\nJackson Ball 35%
\n
\n
\nBlocks
\nJordan Hunt 1.6
\nChase Jeter 2.0
\n
\n
\nSteals
\nElijah Pepper 3.0
\nDan Grida 1.9
\n
\n
\nMinutes
\nElijah Pepper 34.6
\nKeanu Rasmussen 33.8
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Stats that Matter
\n
\n
\n
\nStat
\nMills Albert Wellington Saints
\nBig Barrel Hawke\u2019s Bay Hawks
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nPoints Per Game
\n99.9 (1st)
\n92.6 (7th)
\n
\n
\nPoints Allowed Per Game
\n90.4 (5th)
\n96.9 (9th)
\n
\n
\nScoring Margin
\n+9.5 (2nd)
\n-4.3 (8th)
\n
\n
\nField Goal %
\n50% (1st)
\n47% (6th)
\n
\n
\nField Goal % Defence
\n45% (5th)
\n48% (9th)
\n
\n
\nFree Throw %
\n75% (2nd)
\n67% (8th)
\n
\n
\n3-Point %
\n31% (8th)
\n30% (9th)
\n
\n
\n3-Point % Defence
\n34% (7th)
\n38% (11th)
\n
\n
\n3-Point FG Made
\n10.1 (5th )
\n7.9 (9th)
\n
\n
\nRebounds Per Game
\n43.5 (3rd)
\n41.8 (6th)
\n
\n
\nRebounding Margin
\n+5.0 (1st)
\n+1.9 (4th)
\n
\n
\nOffensive Rebounds Per Game
\n9.8 (5th)
\n9.6 (7th)
\n
\n
\nDefensive Rebounds Per Game
\n31.0 (1st)
\n26.4 (8th)
\n
\n
\nOffensive Rebound %
\n27% (6th)
\n26% (7th)
\n
\n
\nDefensive Rebound %
\n76% (3rd)
\n73% (5th)
\n
\n
\nAssists Per Game
\n25.6 (1st)
\n18.4 (8th)
\n
\n
\nSteals Per Game
\n9.4 (1st)
\n6.8 (8th)
\n
\n
\nBlocks Per Game
\n3.8 (3rd)
\n2.8 (7th)
\n
\n
\nAssist\/Turnover Ratio
\n1.65 (5th)
\n1.56 (7th)
\n
\n
\nTurnover Margin
\n-0.9 (8th)
\n-1.5 (10th)
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Final Word<\/p>\n
The numbers underline Wellington\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019afa are moving the ball, Aliir and Hunt are putting pressure on the rim, and the defence is creating live-ball chances.<\/p>\n
For the Hawks, the equation starts with health. If Grida is available and effective, Hawke\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Posted on Monday, May 25th, 2026 Game Preview: Saints vs Hawks Game Preview: Mills Albert Wellington Saints (5-3)…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":692318,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[64,63,726,85],"class_list":["post-692317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-basketball","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-basketball","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/692317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=692317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/692317\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/692318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=692317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=692317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=692317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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