The Pistons thrashed the Nuggets 100-58 and 93-61, after all. But any relief would have quickly given way to empathy.
There is nothing pleasant in a basketball team falling on hard times - and nothing new in it either.
The Nuggets sat the 2009 season out because of financial reasons, Taranaki missed three consecutive seasons early last decade, the Auckland Stars folded before the 2010 season tipped off and were replaced by the Auckland Pirates last season.
The Harbour Heat also went belly up in 2010, leaving the National Basketball League without an Auckland-based team that year.
The Christchurch Cougars pulled out in 2011 following the earthquake and there is talk they will not be back next year.
The NBL is an ever-changing landscape but the demise of the Pistons has saddened Basketball Otago general manager Markham Brown.
"It is not good and it is not a great look for the league," Brown said. "But they are a proud team and I'm sure they won't be out for long. We've been down that path ourselves.
"You need a flagship team for people to aspire to, especially at a local level."
The Pistons won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009 and appeared on track for another title this year, until the Hawkes Bay Hawks ruined the party in the semifinal.
Those players will now need to find somewhere else to play. Forward BJ Anthony has already signed with the Nuggets but Tall Blacks Alex Pledger and Thomas Abercrombie will need somewhere to go.
The smart money is on them turning up at the Wellington Saints or the Pirates. Then again, they may skip the league altogether. If the Breakers reach the Australian National Basketball League playoffs they will not be available until mid-April, anyway. And with the New Zealand league expected to tip off on the first weekend of March, the pair would miss up to six weeks.
Then there is the Tall Blacks' Olympic bid to consider. The pair will need a break at some stage and rumour is they may not play in the New Zealand league at all this season.
Brown did not rule out talking to the pair but said it was unlikely they would play for the Nuggets next season.
"We're basically consolidating on what we've done so far and... working with the guys we've got here at the moment."
• The Southland Sharks have secured the services of former Tall Black Craig Bradshaw. The 28-year-old played for the Otago Nuggets last season, averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds.
"We have been patient with our signings this year, due to timing issues with the Australian NBL and Tall Blacks campaign," Sharks general manager Jill Bolger said.
"We also wanted to be sure that we get players who are here for the whole season. Now those issues have been sorted out, we are building a strong team to be real contenders in 2012."
