Ahead of them is a string of must-win, one-off playoff games, in a short space of time, at a neutral court in Auckland.
Last time that happened, the team returned to Dunedin with a trophy in hand, claiming the 2020 National Basketball League Showdown title.
This is a vastly different league and a different team — only four players remain from that victorious roster, alongside head coach Brent Matehaere.
But it is also an organisation that has experience being in Auckland for a stretch much longer than this — and finding ways to win while doing so.
That should reduce any feeling of discomfort from the Nuggets, as they begin the NBL playoffs against the Hawke’s Bay Hawks at Eventfinda Stadium tonight.
"I look at it like it’s our home away from home, Auckland," Matehaere said.
"We’ve had some good times on Eventfinda court one. Obviously it’s a bit different to [the Showdown venue] Waitakere.
"But the feel in the team is it’s not something new for us and it’s not something unexpected. We should be able to take it in our step and basically put our best foot forward.
"We’re really looking forward to taking on the Hawks, who have a couple of our mates [Jarrod Kenny and Jordan Hunt] from the Showdown as well. It’s pretty special."
However, that is where the certainty ends.
These playoffs could not be more precariously balanced, as the Nuggets head four teams tied on 10 wins from third place to sixth.
If they win tonight, they will face the Nelson Giants in Friday’s semifinal, for the opportunity to play the winner from the other side of the draw in Saturday’s final.
The trophy could feasibly go home with any of the six teams.
All have had their good and not-so-good moments this year, and the Nuggets have not been immune to that.
An early five-game winning streak had them looking like league favourites, before a mid-season slump left them at risk of missing the playoffs.
However, they have finished well and claimed four wins from their past five games.
The Nuggets will also be at full strength.
Todd Withers and Robbie Coman have been cleared after suffering ankle injuries in Sunday’s win over the Franklin Bulls, while Keith Williams is back after missing that game through illness.
That will help, but ensuring the team has one of its good nights is key.
"It’s mindset," Matehaere said.
"It’s making sure we’ve got our version of how we want to play right, both offensively and defensively. At times our defence leads to great offence. And, at times, our offence leads to tough defence.
"It’s making sure we take care of business at both ends of the floor. When we do that, we’re an elite basketball team, and I think we’ll be hard to stop.
"We’ve got to play with the confidence we can do it. Just looking forward to the challenge the Hawks are going to provide in the first game, and just take it one possession at a time."
There are plenty of threats in the Hawks, although the Nuggets have won the past three games against them.
Otago has claimed both this year — a second-half comeback breaking Hawke’s Bay early in Dunedin, before a match-winning tip-in on the buzzer from Josh Aitcheson stole a win in Napier.
There is enough there to show the Nuggets can win.
They will have their hands full, though.
Derone Raukawa and Hunt are two of the most potent offensive threats in the league — and they came off the bench for the Hawks last week.
Perhaps that is the best pointer to the depth this team possesses.
In Hyrum Harris, the Hawks have a physical and dynamic forward who can dominate a game, while centre Jack Salt will provide a tough match-up for Sam Timmins.
"I think the two teams match up pretty well," Matehaere said.
"They’ve got some high-power offensive players, and so do we. We’ve got some high-powered defensive players. It’s going to be a battle.
"The challenge the Hawks provide is when they’re going really well, they’re elite as well. It’s going to be on the day and possession by possession. We’re just going to give it our absolute best."
NBL play-offs
Auckland, tonight, 6pm
Nuggets: Sam Timmins, Nikau McCullough, Josh Aitcheson, Tray Boyd, Todd Withers, Keith Williams, Jack Andrew, Matthew Bardsley, Darcy Knox, Joe Ahie, Robbie Coman, Max Pearce.
Hawks: Hyrum Harris, Ethan Rusbatch, Jarrod Kenny, Tajuan Agee, Jack Salt, Derone Raukawa, Jordan Hunt, Quintin Bailey, Jack Exeter, Everard Bartlett, Derek Albertsen.
Recent results
2022: Nuggets 84-82
2022: Nuggets 94-80
2021: Nuggets 94-88
2021: Hawks 103-73
All-time head to head
Played: 52
Nuggets: 19 wins (4570 points)
Hawks: 33 wins (4884 points)
Average score: 94-89 Hawks
Playoff match-ups
1995 semifinals
Hawks 90-87
Hawks 111-90
Key players
Sam Timmins (Nuggets)
The big man needs to dominate the paint. His presence at the defensive end started the comeback in Dunedin earlier this year. If he can be productive offensively too, there is enough scoring firepower around him to win this game.
Hyrum Harris (Hawks)
May not fill up the scoring tally each week, but Harris will dominate a game across the board. Physical and versatile, the Nuggets need to limit his impact, which in turn will help quieten the scoring threats around him.
