NZ Breakers fans will have to wait a few months longer to catch their team back on court, after the Australian NBL confirmed a delay to the start of its 2020/21 season.
On Monday, the Australia-based basketball league announced it woouldn't start until at least mid-January, rather than its usual early October tip-off.
Executive chairman Larrey Kestelman says the delay will provide clubs "the best opportunity to play in front of as many fans as possible".
"We will remain flexible about the exact start date," Kestelman says. "This will depend on a number of factors, including travel and border restrictions, community transmission numbers, and availability of venues across Australia and New Zealand.
The league is currently exploring hosting options, which include the possibility of hubs staging most games.
"We intend to play a full season and, if needed, we will play in one or more hubs to achieve this," Kestelman adds.
"We are currently having positive discussions with a number of interested states about potential locations."
Before the most recent COVID-19 spike in Auckland, New Zealand had reportedly been considered as a host.
Breakers owner Matt Walsh admits that while New Zealand now only has a slim chance of becoming a host, he'll continue to promote its cause.
"I'm still pushing for it and because it's months in the future and is still a possibility," Walsh tells Newshub. "But I think the likelihood has certainly dropped some.
"I'm always going to fight for New Zealand. I think that, as a country, we could certainly put on the best hub."
Walsh insist his players are well aware of the potential outcomes, including the possibility they may have to be based across the Tasman for the duration of the season.
"They understand the realities of the situation, that we may end up in Australia," he adds.
"We're doing everything we can to prepare them for that, if that's the scenario that unfolds... in terms of fighting to make sure their families can come.
"Wherever we're stationed, we're making sure that our players' mental and physical well being is the number one priority.
"We're just itching to start playing, because we're going to be NBL champions in 2021."
Commissioner Jeremy Legler says more details of a firm state date and schedules will be provided in the coming weeks.
"We need to adopt appropriate health and safety protocols to ensure we can schedule a season that we can deliver in its entirety, and does not unnecessarily impact financially on our clubs," Legeler states.
"Having as many fans as possible at those games is critical to us."
