The Nuggets' playoff prospects slipped from possible to unlikely with a 29-point drubbing from the Giants in Nelson on Saturday night.
The 108-79 loss was not entirely unexpected, as the Nuggets were missing two starters.
Guard Micah Lepaio rolled his ankle while warming up for the 90-89 win over the Taranaki Mountain Airs in New Plymouth on Friday, and Nuggets captain Brendon Polyblank had his nose broken in a heavy clash during the match.
Polyblank may require surgery but a decision cannot be made until the swelling has gone down. He is unlikely to play again this season.
''Any time you take a hit like that, they've got to give it a few days to settle down,'' Nuggets player-coach Mark Dickel said.
''The surgeon has told him it will take 10 days before he can get it assessed.''
Polyblank told the Otago Daily Times earlier this year he intended to retire at the end of the season, so he may have played his last game at the top level.
Polyblank has been the Nuggets' most consistent player and was their leading scorer until Brandon Bowdry arrived late last month. He was sorely missed on Saturday night.
Lepaio's injury is less serious. Dickel hopes he will be available for the Nuggets' final home game against the Canterbury Rams this weekend.
As for the effort against the Giants, Dickel was philosophical. The Nuggets were outscored 36-16 in the opening quarter and the game was basically over from that point.
''We were hoping to be able to defend them a little bit better and keep the game closer because we knew it was going to be a struggle.
''We went to a zone but they hit their shots and it got away from us. We just did not have the energy to be able to get back into the game.''
Centre Warren Carter top-scored for the Nuggets with 29 points. Dickel had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, and also had six assists.
Classy American small forward Josh Pace had a game-high 30 points and fellow import Jamal Boykin scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a strong performance.
The loss means the Nuggets must win their remaining three games to get to 10 wins and have a chance of making the playoffs.
NBL
The scores
Nelson Giants 108
Josh Pace 30, Jamal Boykin 23
Otago Nuggets 79
Warren Carter 29, Brandon Bowdry 24
Quarter scores: 36-16, 59-42, 87-57.
