The Nelson Giants secured a hard-fought 88-85 victory over the Franklin Bulls in a thrilling New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) contest on July 5, 2026. The Giants, playing on home court, narrowly edged out the Bulls in a game that came down to the final possessions. The win was crucial for Nelson’s playoff push, while Franklin was left to rue missed opportunities.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets, with the Bulls showing aggressive outside shooting and the Giants relying on their inside presence. The first half was tightly contested, with neither side able to build a lead larger than six points. Nelson carried a narrow 44–42 advantage into halftime. The third quarter saw Franklin mount a strong surge, briefly taking a 65–62 lead, but the Giants responded with a 10–2 run to regain control.

Key Moments

• Fourth-quarter defensive stand: With the score tied at 83 with under two minutes left, Nelson forced a shot-clock violation and then converted a three-point play by their center to go up 86–83.
• Clutch free throws: After Franklin cut the lead to one, Giants guard sank two free throws with 8.7 seconds remaining to make it 88–85. The Bulls’ final three-point attempt rimmed out.
• Rebounding battle: Nelson dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 14 rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points, a decisive factor in the final margin.

Standout Players

For the Giants, Tom Vodanovich led all scorers with 27 points and 11 rebounds, including critical plays down the stretch. Sam Dempster added 18 points and 6 assists, running the offense efficiently. On the Franklin side, Isaac Davidson scored 23 points on 50% shooting, while Zach Fuller contributed a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards. However, the Bulls’ bench was outscored 28–12, a significant weakness.

Season Impact

With this win, the Nelson Giants improved to 11–8 on the season, strengthening their position in the top four of the NZNBL standings. The Franklin Bulls dropped to 9–10 and now sit on the playoff bubble. The Giants’ ability to close tight games has been a hallmark of their season, while the Bulls must address their inconsistency in crunch time. The next meeting between these two sides looms as a potential playoff preview.