The Auckland Tuatara’s 2025 Sal’s NBL season came to a close after going down to the Southland Sharks 91-75 in their play-in match in Invercargill on Thursday.
The Sharks controlled the game throughout as the Tuatara reeled from the early loss of Dan Fotu to injury.
That, coupled with Rob Loe’s injury-enforced unavailability, meant the Tuatara had no answer to the Sharks inside presence.
In their fourth season, the Tuatara have made the playoffs in each of their years competing in the League, but unlike previous campaigns, they won’t make the Grand Final in 2025.