Johnson Secures Vital NBL Playoff Hopes for Tasmania with Late Heroics
The Tasmania JackJumpers solidified their hold on sixth place with a thrilling 91-89 victory over the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday. Playing at MyState Bank Arena on February 1, 2026, guard David Johnson delivered a career-defining performance to keep the team's finals aspirations alive.
Intense Playoff Race Heightens Pressure on Recent Matchups
The National Basketball League season is nearing its conclusion, the fight for the final playoff spots has intensified significantly. Entering this weekend, both clubs faced immense pressure to secure wins to stay relevant in the standings. The JackJumpers, defending their 2024 championship title, stumbled on Friday with an overtime loss to Cairns, this increased the urgency for Sunday. Conversely, New Zealand arrived with momentum after defeating Melbourne United earlier in the round. This matchup served as a virtual elimination game for the sixth seed, a position that guarantees postseason basketball. The rivalry between these two franchises has grown fierce, New Zealand held a slight historical advantage before tip-off.
Johnson Delivers Career Best Performance in Thrilling Finish
The contest remained tight throughout the afternoon, neither side managed to pull away decisively in front of the Hobart crowd. David Johnson emerged as the undeniable star for Tasmania, he poured in a career-high 33 points to anchor the offense. His offensive explosion included seven three-pointers on just 11 attempts, this shooting display kept the JackJumpers within striking distance. The defining moment arrived with only 13.5 seconds remaining on the clock, Johnson sank a critical three-pointer to break the deadlock and secure the lead.
Key Contributions Support Scoring Effort
While Johnson led the charge, his teammates provided essential support to close out the game. Majok Deng added 17 points and blocked two shots, Josh Bannan dominated the glass with 11 rebounds to go with his 16 points. On the opposing side, New Zealand fought valiantly behind Izaiah Brockington, he scored 24 points and missed only one shot from deep range. Despite holding a lead late in the game, the Breakers could not contain Tasmania's final surge, the loss marked a heartbreaking end to their double-header weekend.
Tasmania Strengthens Postseason Grip While Breakers Slip
This result fundamentally alters the playoff landscape for the remaining weeks of the regular season. Tasmania now possesses a firm grip on the sixth seed, their path to the finals looks increasingly clear following this win. Conversely, the Breakers face a steep uphill battle with only four games left on their schedule. Coach Petteri Koponen must now rally a squad that trails Tasmania in the standings, their margin for error has effectively vanished.
Officials and fans now look toward the final round of games with high anticipation. The JackJumpers carry renewed momentum into their next fixture, they aim to replicate their championship success from two years prior.
