JackJumpers Stun Phoenix with Gritty Home Win in a Thriller
If you’re looking for a reminder of how unpredictable the NBL can be, this clash between the Tasmania JackJumpers and the South East Melbourne Phoenix was it. On a Monday night in Launceston, a desperate JackJumpers side finally turned their home venue into something close to a fortress again, edging out the high-flying Phoenix 87–84 in a tense, season-shaping battle.
Coming into the game, the storylines were stacked against Tasmania. They had struggled badly at home all season, winning just two of their previous 10 games in Tasmania. Their most recent outing had been a heartbreaking one-point overtime loss on Boxing Day, and the schedule had been relentless. Fatigue was expected to play a role, especially against a Phoenix team sitting second on the ladder and coming in fresh off a nine-day break.
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But from the opening tip, it was clear something different was happening. Tasmania played with urgency, energy, and purpose, while South East Melbourne looked surprisingly sluggish. That slow start was punished. Majok Deng set the tone early, and his presence was felt on both ends of the floor. Tasmania jumped out to an early lead and kept applying pressure, with Bryce Hamilton adding scoring punch to push the margin out to 16 points by halftime.
The Phoenix, led by Nathan Sobey, were kept afloat almost single-handedly. Sobey’s shooting and leadership stopped the game from slipping away completely, but it was hard work. Shots weren’t falling, turnovers crept in, and the rhythm that had defined their recent form just wasn’t there. It felt like the long break may have dulled their edge rather than sharpened it.
As expected, the Phoenix came charging back in the second half. The deficit was trimmed, the intensity rose, and the final minute turned into a heart-stopper. Sobey drilled a late three to bring it back to a single point, and suddenly the upset was in danger of slipping away. But composure was shown when it mattered most. Deng was fouled under pressure and calmly knocked down two crucial free throws, giving Tasmania a slim cushion.
With just seconds left, South East Melbourne drew up one final play. All eyes were on new signing Ian Clark, making his debut, but the winning shot never came. The siren sounded, and relief poured out of MyState Bank Arena.
For Tasmania, it was more than just a win. It was proof that their season is still alive. For the Phoenix, it was a reminder that momentum can disappear quickly. And for fans, it was classic NBL drama—tight, emotional, and impossible to look away from.
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