The franchise snapped a 33-game losing streak in the NBL with a 74-67 win against the Manawatu Jets in May 2011.
And last year the Nuggets ended a 17-game losing-streak to the Nelson Giants with a 97-93 win in overtime.
Tonight, the Mark Dickel-led Nuggets aim to erase another embarrassing record. It has been 10 years and 17 games since the Nuggets last beat the Hawkes Bay Hawks. Dickel is not one for history but he thinks it is time that statistic was followed by a full stop.
''It is a good test for us. We're looking forward to see how we match up,'' he said.
''It doesn't matter how much talking you do before the game. But we've got a good team and I don't really care who the other teams are, or who they have. If we come ready to play, I think we'll be fine.''
Hayden Allen is the only survivor from the 2003 line-up which beat the Hawks. He was deadly with 32 points but it was import Issiah Epps who steered the team to a 102-96 win with a season-high 37 points.
Allen will miss tonight's match. He will be attending a function with the Breakers but will be back for tomorrow's game against the Super City Rangers.
''He's obviously a quality player and we would love to have him but he has another job and has to do that.
''We have a lot of guys on our team that want more of an opportunity and I feel like Riki Buckrell, Luke Aston and James Ross are all capable. They'll get a chance [tonight] to show us what they are made of,'' Dickel said.
In Allen's absence, Brendon Polyblank will be a key man for the Nuggets from three-point range, although Otago is likely to attack on the inside.
BJ Anthony was named player of the week for his haul of 34 points and 12 rebounds and his combination with powerful centre Antoine Tisby should give the Nuggets the edge in the forward exchanges.
The vastly experienced Polyblank is a quality shooter and a very decent plan B should the chosen blueprint start to unravel. Swingman Akeem Wright can also be relied on to contribute, whether it is through points, rebounds, steals or blocks. He really is a solid all-rounder.
Veteran Hawks swingman Paora Winitana and imports Darko Cohadarevic and Brian Greene are the most obvious offensive threats, and Dion Prewster is another player capable of scoring quick points.
If the Nuggets are going to end their 10-year drought, they will need to play some good defence.
Allen's defence will be missed but Wright and Dickel offer the hustle needed to press teams. The Nuggets, though, were a little sloppy in their opening game with 20 turnovers and will be looking to tidy up in that area.
Still, they demolished the Super City Rangers 111-77.
''I was relatively happy with how we played. We had some lapses and, without getting too negative, there is a lot of stuff we can work on and get better at.
''But it was early and we hadn't really had any practices together, so I was happy with how it played out for our first game.''
The Rangers showed more resolve in Palmerston North on Thursday, suffering a narrow 87-86 loss to the Jets, and should present as tougher opponents tomorrow.
The match against the Hawks will be streamed live on the internet.
NBL
Nuggets double-header
Nuggets v Hawks
Pettigrew Arena, tonight 7pm
Nuggets: Antoine Tisby, Mark Dickel, BJ Anthony, Akeem Wright, Hayden Allen, Brendon Polyblank, Riki Buckrell, James Ross, Matt Trueman, Luke Aston.
Hawks: Aidan Daly, Dion Prewster, Paora Winitana, Darko Cohadarevic, Brian Greene, Jarrod Kenny, Alonzo Burton, Ezra Nikora, Matt Wilson, Geoff Heather, Dan Evans, Jacob Walsh.
Nuggets v Rangers
Otara Recreation Centre, tomorrow 3pm
Rangers: Carl Buck, Shea Ili, Houston O'Riley, Duane Bailey, Jason Goodwin, Johnny Fesolai, Mark Kelly, Cam Stuart, Patrich Bolstad, Jack Salt.
