Airs’ 2023 draw released

The Taranaki Steelformers Airs will be on the road early in the Sal’s National Basketball League (NBL) when the competition starts in April.

Coming off the back of a historymaking performance in the 2022 edition, where the Taranaki Steelformers Airs topped the competition after the regular season for the first time, they will play nine home games at the TSB Stadium in the 18-match regular season.

The Airs will be away for the first three matches against the Canterbury Rams, Auckland Tuatara and Hawke’s Bay Hawks between April 9 and 15. The first home game at the TSB Stadium will be against defending champions Otago Nuggets on Saturday, April 22.

Airs general manager Cole Brown said he’s looking forward to seeing how the team stacks up against last season’s winners.

‘‘Having the defending champions at home is a great start to the season for us. We respect what the Nuggets have done last season and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves early on in the competition,’’ he said.

Taranaki Steelformers Airs will host Manawatū Jets a week later at home before an away game to Nelson in early May.

Brown said he’s pleased the Airs will then play four consecutive home games against the Hawks, Franklin Bulls, Rams and Wellington Saints.

‘‘We know our fans come out in full force and if we gain some momentum during that important part of the season, it would be good reward for our supporters at home.’’

The Taranaki Steelformers Airs will play a further three home games on June 24, 29 and July 13 against the Southland Sharks, Tuatara and Giants. The final regular season match is against Otago on July 15. Times for all matches are to be confirmed.

Brown warned supporters to buy season passes quickly to avoid missing out when they go on sale at the end of this month.

The official trade window opens on November 30 and the Airs are poised to announce some key signings after that.

Taranaki Steelformers Airs 2023 draw

Sun, April 9 v Canterbury Rams, Christchurch; Fri, April 14 v Auckland Tuatara, Auckland; Sat, April 15 v Hawke’s Bay Hawks, Napier; Sat, April 22 v Otago Nuggets, New Plymouth; Sat, April 29 v Manawatu Jets, New

Plymouth; Sat, May 6 v Nelson Giants, Nelson; Thurs, May 11 v Hawks, New Plymouth; Fri, May 19 v Bulls, New Plymouth; Thurs, May 25 v Rams, New Plymouth; Sun, June 4 v Saints, New Plymouth; Sat, June 10 v Sharks, Invercargill; Sat, June 17 v Jets, Palmerston North; Sun, June 18 v Saints, Wellington; Sat, June 24 v Sharks, New Plymouth; Thurs, June 29 v Tuatara, New Plymouth; Sat, July 8 v Bulls, Auckland; Thurs, July 13 v Giants, New Plymouth; Sat, July 15 v Nuggets, Dunedin.