The side lost to neighbour Southland Sharks in a game moved from its home court at the Edgar Centre but it has signed a former Tall Black and Dunedin home boy.
Water dripping on the centre court at the Edgar Centre on Saturday night caused the Nuggets’ match against the Sharks to be moved to the adjacent court three.
Edgar Centre general manager Blair Crawford said a small leak was discovered about 30 minutes before the scheduled 7.30pm tip-off, dripping every 20 seconds.
League general manager Justin Nelson decided the health and safety of players and officials took priority and it could not wait around for the game to start.
The game was delayed by 15 minutes and spectators had to watch from the stand on the other side of the arena.
Crawford was frustrated by the delay.
"I’m always conscious of our customer experience, so not to have a centre court wasn’t ideal.
"It’s one of those ones that we’ve had leaks before. We get them fixed; we’re just not sure how it came.
He would be investigating the leak.
"It’s the nature of being close to the sea air — the roof and the nails can move. We’ve got constant maintenance on it.
"It’s not that they’re being ignored, it’s just occasionally water finds its way through the smallest possible hole."
The drip stopped about 30 minutes into the game.
The Nuggts have been boosted by the signing of former Tall Black Luke Aston, who is due to arrive in Dunedin today.
The 30-year-old combines length, athleticism and an impressive shooting game, and brings plenty of quality to the roster.
Aston (30) has spent the past two weeks in MIQ after returning from the United States.
He will play in Thursday’s match against the Canterbury Rams in Christchurch.
A former Otago Boys’ High School pupil, Aston played 27 matches for the Otago Nuggets in the 2010 and 2013 seasons.
He spent time in the US at college through that period too and has gone on to be a key player for the Southland Sharks, Hawke’s Bay Hawks and Canterbury Rams.
Nuggets coach Brent Matehaere coached Aston while at high school and said his combination of experience, skill and being local made him an exciting signing.
The side had been looking to sign him prior to the season.
However, when he secured a full-time job in California he decided to stay there.
As circumstances changed, Aston let Matehaere know he was coming home.
The team worked with him to secure his signature.
"If you know Luke he’s certainly always athletic, he can shoot the ball," Matehaere said.
"Back home [in California] he’s playing two or three times a week as well. They have city leagues and stuff so he’s getting runs up and down."
