Derby handing Essex a second loss of the season means the league has a new leader, with the likes of Hemel, Newcastle and Reading all pushing to join the party at the top.
We take a look at all of the weekend's action below, with links to live stats and live streams at the bottom of the page.
Derby took a huge step towards claiming this year's D1M regular-season title with a commanding 102-80 road victory against Essex.
The Trailblazers rode three stunning performances to their 11th win of campaign, none bigger than forward Malcolm Smith's 31-point, 13-rebound, five-assist double-double that also included a perfect 17/17 from the foul line.
The American was ably assisted by guard Sam Masten (25pts, 7ast, 5reb) and Corey Johnson (23pts, 8reb, 4ast, 3stl) as all three players helped put the Rebels to the sword.
The visitors claimed the second quarter 23-11 and followed it up with a 34-25 third frame that provided the cushion needed to see the game out, giving the hosts no real sniff of a comeback.
The win gives the Trailblazers the head-to-head tiebreaker between the sides, meaning they'll take the title should the two teams finish level on points come the end of the regular season.
There's plenty of basketball still to be played by both sides before that point, though.
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That'll do it! 🏀🙌🏻🥁#LetsGoBlazers#NBL2324 pic.twitter.com/8TnHpkjgO4
— Derby Trailblazers (@derbyblazers) January 27, 2024
Barking Abbey's (2-12) fight for D1M survival took another step this weekend as they made it back-to-back wins, beating Nottingham Hoods (7-8) 100-86 behind 23 points from Ethan Conway that included 7/11 from three-point range.
Loughborough Riders (9-5) needed a period of OT to get past Thames Valley Cavaliers (3-11), eventually coming through 107-105.
After trailing for the majority of the contest, TVC nearly snatched the game with an AJ Roberts (36pts, 6reb, 7ast) bucket near the buzzer, but Loughborough's Justin Hedley (31pts, 8reb, 6ast) coolly needed a pair of free throws to force the extra frame.
Bradford Dragons (6-8) dealt a blow to Reading Rockets' (8-3) title hopes with an 87-84 victory in West Yorkshire.
Ronald Blain (22pts, 11reb, 3blk) continued his impressive return to the NBL and his duel with Rockets' guard Mitch Clarke (22pts, 12reb, 6ast) was great viewing throughout.
London Elite's (2-12) relegation fears worsened as they slipped to a 90-73 home defeat against Worthing Thunder (5-9), with Thunder's Hafeez Abdul going off for a game-high 37 points.
Hemel Storm's (10-3) new signing Darien Nelson-Henry had an efficient 12-point, seven-rebound debut as the hosts beat Newcastle University (9-4) 108-69.
That left Seth Swalve (26ps, 10ast) to grab a fitting double-double in his final game for the club before departing for Australia, with teammate Brayden Inger (24pts, 12rbe) had a double-double of his own.
Newcastle bounced back 24 hours later in yesterday's only game, beating Worthing 106-89 as Logan Rooney (29pts, 10reb) and Justin Hopkins (27pts, 8reb) both enjoyed 30 efficiency outings.
Barking Abbey 100-86 Nottingham Hoods - LIVE STATS
Loughborough Riders 107-105 Thames Valley Cavaliers (After 1OT) - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
Bradford Dragons 87-84 Reading Rockets - LIVE STATS
London Elite 73-90 Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS
Essex Rebels 80-102 Derby Trailblazers - LIVE STATS
Hemel Storm 108-69 Newcastle University - LIVE STATS
Worthing Thunder 89-106 Newcastle University - LIVE STATS
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