JackJumpers 'Hurt' for first time without Magnay

• Phoenix snap JackJumpers eight-game NBL winning streak
• Matt Hurt and Jordan Hunter lead Phoenix to 11-10 record, into sixth
• Tasmania coach Scott Roth said his team were a 'step behind'

In a stunning display of offensive firepower, the South East Melbourne Phoenix snapped the Tasmania JackJumpers' eight-game winning streak with a commanding 105-91 (Game Centre) victory at MyState Bank Arena on Sunday, January 5, 2025.

The Phoenix, led by the dynamic duo of Jordan Hunter and Matt Hurt, exploited the absence of JackJumpers' key defender Will Magnay to hand the defending champions their first home loss of the season.

The Phoenix's road warriors continued their impressive form, notching their second win in three away games this week. Fresh off a New Year's Eve triumph over the Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong and a hard-fought loss to the Kings in Sydney, South East Melbourne showed no signs of fatigue as they dismantled Tasmania's vaunted defence.

From the opening tip, Hunter and Hurt set the tone, combining for the game's first seven points. The Phoenix's aggressive approach never wavered, as they dominated the paint, outscoring the JackJumpers 58-44 inside. Tasmania's attempts to rally were thwarted time and again by South East Melbourne's relentless offensive onslaught.

The JackJumpers, clearly missing Magnay's defensive presence for the first time, struggled to contain the Phoenix's size and skill. A spirited second-quarter run led by Jordon Crawford briefly gave the home fans hope, but South East Melbourne's depth and determination proved too much to overcome. The visitors entered halftime with a six-point lead and never looked back, extending their advantage to 14 by the final buzzer.

The statistics tell the tale of South East Melbourne's dominance. The Phoenix shot a blistering 53% from the field and converted 24 of 33 free throws. Their ability to capitalise on Tasmania's mistakes was equally impressive, turning 16 turnovers into 24 points. These numbers underscore the Phoenix's offensive efficiency and their ability to punish the JackJumpers' uncharacteristic lapses.

Matt Hurt emerged as the star of the show, delivering a masterclass with 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists. His partner in crime, Jordan Hunter, was equally impressive, contributing 17 points and eight boards. Phoenix coach Josh King praised his team's performance, saying, "I'm really proud of my team. It was a tough road trip. I thought for the most part we dominated today, except for a small little portion in the second quarter."

The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Tasmania, marking their first defeat since November 7.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth acknowledged the Phoenix's superiority.

"They were the most aggressive team throughout the entire game, and we were a step behind and not quite sharp in a lot of areas," he said.

Looking ahead, both teams face crucial matchups that will shape their playoff aspirations.

The JackJumpers will aim to bounce back quickly as they travel to Wollongong to face the league-leading Illawarra Hawks (Game Centre) on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. For the Phoenix, their resurgence has propelled them back into the top six with a record of 11-10. They'll look to build on this momentum when they host the Brisbane Bullets (Game Centre) in Gippsland on Saturday, January 11, 2025.