NBL Oz Gaming undertook a historic run in its first ever NBA 2K Leaguge 5v5 campaign, but that run has unfortunately ground to a halt at the hands of the Gen.G Tigers.
NBL Oz started the tournament with four straight wins before suffering a 66-74 defeat to Gen.G, but a strong 63-55 win over Hawks Talon GC saw them end the Group Play with five wins and just one solitary defeat.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">We close out group play in The Tipoff with a 5-1 record after a win over the Hawks.<br><br>Next up, bracket play ? <a href="https://t.co/h7hvX4AMv7">pic.twitter.com/h7hvX4AMv7</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1664820226725236738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
That 5-1 record was more than enough to see the side qualify for Bracket Play, where NBL dismantled Hornets Venom GT 2-0 in their best of three series before once again taking on Gen.G in the quarter finals.
However the side's newest rivals once again proved too strong, and NBL Oz crashed out of the tournament in a 2-0 series loss.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Tough way to go out.<br><br>We fall to the <a href="https://twitter.com/gengtigers2k?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gengtigers2k</a> in the quarter finals of the Tip Off.<br><br>Up next for NBL Oz Gaming, The Turn. <a href="https://t.co/OEMUVozmY1">pic.twitter.com/OEMUVozmY1</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1669131398140276736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Point guard Harry ‘HarryVZN’ Spierings created history with the squad, becoming the first Australian player to debut in the 5v5 tournament while also winning Player of the Week during Group Play.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Your daily reminder. HARRY IS HIM.<br><br>Clutch from <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHvzn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealHvzn</a> <a href="https://t.co/1uu37TwAKx">pic.twitter.com/1uu37TwAKx</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1664819979089477632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
The NBA 2K League rookie revealed he had doubters before his debut, but is proud of his own performances.
“A lot of people thought I was going to be a liability on the court, so being able to prove them wrong and help my teammates get to where they want to be is all I want to do,” Spierings said.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">We hear from <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHvzn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealHvzn</a> ahead of his first appearance on the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA2KLeague</a> stage ?<br><br>Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownUnderdogs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownUnderdogs</a> against the <a href="https://twitter.com/gengtigers2k?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gengtigers2k</a> tomorrow at 8:15am AEST (6:15pm ET) <a href="https://t.co/REeMwb17xL">pic.twitter.com/REeMwb17xL</a></p>— NBL Oz Gaming ??? (@nblozgaming) <a href="https://twitter.com/nblozgaming/status/1668950156119805952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
NBL Oz has turned heads in both the 3v3 and 5v5 formats of this season already, and head coach Mitchell 'Mootyy' Franklin is happy with how his unit has come together.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this team and everything they’ve accomplished already,” Franklin said.
NBL Oz Gaming will next play in The Turn on Thursday June 22 against Magic Gaming.
You can watch the game on the NBA 2K League Twitch and YouTube channels.
