THE POSTSEASON picture in the 2026 National Basketball League (NBL) now features one less team, after Melbourne United eliminated the Tasmania JackJumpers with a 14-point win in Thursday night’s do-or-die clash.

United hosted the JackJumpers at John Cain Arena last night, adding another chapter to one of the competition’s best rivalries of the past five years. Despite a form slump in the back half of the fixture, Melbourne came into the clash as favourites with home court advantage against a seriously undermanned Tasmania side that only had nine players available.

Although the JackJumpers showed their signature fight to remain in the contest, United were too good for the visitors, breaking away in the fourth quarter to claim a 14-point win to keep their season alive and set up another elimination clash against the Perth Wildcats tomorrow night.

Melbourne United (82) def. Tasmania JackJumpers (68)

It was an impressive start to the game from the JackJumpers, who hit the lead early and held onto a scoreboard advantage throughout the first quarter. Tassie led by as much as seven points in the opening frame, but Melbourne steadied to cut the margin back to just two heading into quarter time in an important patch for the hosts.

It took United no time at all to snatch the lead from the visitors, as Tasmania found it extremely difficult to surpass Melbourne’s defensive structures, scoring just two points in the first five minutes of the second quarter. United outscored the JackJumpers 25-14 and took a nine-point lead into the main change in a huge momentum swing.

Despite being up against it at John Cain Arena, the JackJumpers refused to give in, staying within striking distance for most of the third term before closing the gap on the eve of three-quarter time. An 8-0 run to Tasmania saw the deficit slashed to just a single point at the final break, and it was shaping as another blockbuster finish between the teams.

However, Melbourne’s talent and class came to the fore to open the fourth, exploding with a 13-4 run to lead by double-digits and deal a crushing blow to Tasmania. The JackJumpers were worn down by a stronger United team, with the latter cruising home to a 14-point win and keeping their championship aspirations alive.

It was a career-best performance from Finn Delany, who was the difference with his shotmaking ability with Melbourne’s season on the line. He posted an eye-catching 33 points on 13/19 shooting from the field, with his success finding the bottom of the net delivering all sorts of headaches to a JackJumpers side that had offensive struggles.

Formerly an NBL champion with Tasmania, Milton Doyle had an impact off the bench for United as they eliminated his old side. The import guard posted 19 points off the bench while shooting 7/12 from the field, and stepped up for some big shots in the final quarter.

With just nine players to choose from on their roster, the JackJumpers got plenty of fight from their starters, with four hitting double-digits in the scoring column. Breakout guard Nick Marshall played all 40 minutes and capped off a strong season with 20 points, while David Johnson (16 points), Josh Bannan (16 points) and Tyger Campbell (12 points, six assists) all fought hard.

It is season over for the JackJumpers, while United will now head west to take on the Wildcats in another elimination clash, fighting for a semi-final spot against the Sydney Kings.