Sharks crowned 2026 Sal's NBL champions
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In a rerun of last year’s Grand Final, SBS Bank Southland Sharks won a dramatic Sal’s NBL championship game against Mills Albert Wellington Saints 104-101 in overtime.
In front of a capacity crowd at ILT Stadium Southland, the Sharks claimed a fourth NBL title, and first since 2018, to avenge the defeat suffered at the hands of the Saints in the 2025 championship game.
In addition, the Sharks ended the two-year tenure of head coach Jonathan Yim in style and also that of long-time General Manager Jill Bolger on a high note in front of a fizzing home crowd.
Sam Timmins was immense for the Sharks with 23 points and 21 rebounds - including 15 at the offensive end - and was rightfully named Grand Final MVP. Timmins’ effort enabled the Sharks to win the battle of the boards 60-45, while their 37 second-chance points were massive in such a tight contest.
Timmins, the Sharks skipper, received excellent support from the import trio of Caleb Asberry (24 points, 5 assists and 5 steals), Keylan Boone (21 points and 9 rebounds) and Rylan Jones (18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists).
In addition, Tobias Cameron, an infectious spark off the bench, provided defensive hustle throughout as he mustered a valuable 13 points and a couple of steals.
The Saints, looking to extend their record number of NBL titles to thirteen, were dealt a huge blow before tip-off with the withdrawal through injury of Hyrum Harris. Despite the setback, the Saints came within a whisker of picking up another championship, with League MVP Elijah Pepper leading the way with 32 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
Carlin Davison finished just 1 assist shy of a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, while Akech Alir tallied 22 points and Donte Ingram 14 points.
With the scores were locked at 91 points apiece, Ingram silenced the vociferous home crowd with back-to-back threes and, with Davison completing a trademark dunk, the Saints led 99-98 with 60 seconds to play.
A crucial three-pointer put the Sharks back in front and, although Davison came up with another athletic finish, Boone and Cameron held their nerve at the free-throw line to the delight of a vociferous Orange Army crowd in the shark tank.
Earlier, ten points from Davison carried the Saints to a 25-21 opening-quarter lead.
A Brayden Inger triple snatched the lead for the Sharks, only for Aubrey Chunga - headed to the Asia Cup with the New Zealand U18 team on Monday - to slice through the Sharks defence for back-to-back baskets.
Asberry scored nine straight points in the closing minutes of the second period as the Sharks carried a 45-41 advantage into the half-time break.
In an absorbing third quarter, Pepper demonstrated his offensive prowess as he drained six triples to once again make it a four-point game in favour of the Saints (72-68).
Back and forth it went in the fourth quarter and, although Boone had the chance to win the game on the buzzer, his shot came up short and the dramatic overtime period ensued.
SBS Bank Southland Sharks 104 – Timmins 23pts & 21rebs, Asberry 24pts, Boone 21pts & 9rebs, Jones 18pts & 9rebs, Cameron 13pts
Mills Albert Wellington Saints 101 – Pepper 32pts, Alir 22pts, Davison 19pts, 11rebs & 9asts, Ingram 14pts, Chunga 7pts
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