‘Unbelievable’: Tasmania JackJumpers stun Australia with fairytale NBL win

Australian sporting fans were blown away after the Tasmania JackJumpers produced one of the most unbelievable upsets in history.

The Tasmania JackJumpers have pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Australian sporting history to book their place in the NBL Grand Final.

Against all the odds, the JackJumpers defeated defending NBL champions Melbourne United 76-73 on Monday night to ensure their fairytale inaugural season has one more chapter.

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The JackJumpers were rank outsiders to beat Melbourne United in the must-win game but their hopes were boosted when United star Chris Goulding was ruled out of the clash with a calf strain.

The first half was evenly matched but the JackJumpers built up a slender thanks to the heroics of Josh Adams, who starred with a game-high 30 points.

Tasmania dominated the offensive rebounds and without the firepower of Goulding, United struggled to hit the scoreboard as the JackJumpers stifled their offence.

United fought back late but an epic off-balance three-pointer by Adams iced the game and secured one of the more incredible wins in recent Australian sporting history.

Commentator Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams exclaimed: “Oh my goodness. That’s the game!

“You ain’t coming back from that. The degree of difficult on that shot. Josh Adams, oh my goodness.”

Josh Adams was unstoppable for the JackJumpers. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

“This is unbelievable,” Andrew Gaze said in commentary on ESPN.

“It is such an underdog story. Look at the joy and jubilation. It’s amazing.

“They’ve cobbled this team together that no one gave a chance.

“There is the best sporting story in Australia at the moment.”

Adams was the difference between the two teams and he was ably supported by Jack McVeigh (16 points) and Josh Magette, who knocked down a crucial three-pointer late in the game.

The JackJumpers have continued to defy expectations throughout their first season in the NBL and have punched above their weight in the ultimate underdog story.

They won just two out of their first eight games but claimed seven of their last eight to sneak into the finals.

Now the JackJumpers are one of the last two teams standing and Australian sporting fans were in disbelief at their incredible against-the-odds fairytale.

Sports broadcaster Daniel Garb tweeted: “Wow. The Tasmanian JackJumpers through to the NBL Grand Final series in their first season.

The JackJumpers fairytale continues. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Absolute scenes. Photo: Twitter.

“That is a very cool Aussie sports story. Big win for basketball in the Apple Isle.”

Basketball reporter Kane Pitman said: “The Tasmania JackJumpers in the NBL22 Grand Final is the most unlikely Australian sports team run since when?

“Unbelievable. What a team. So fortunate to experience this live.”

AAP’s Oliver Caffrey added: “ESPN better start getting that 30 for 30 ready about the JackJumpers. What a simply magnificent, inspiring story.”

Wow. Hats off to @JackJumpers

— Jock Landale (@JockLandale) May 2, 2022

Honestly, one of the most unbelievable sporting stories in a long while. Just incredible. https://t.co/l7C54kID76

— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) May 2, 2022

JackJumpers wow

— Jack Snape (@jacksongs) May 2, 2022

This. Is. Amazing. 🐜 #NBL22

— Adam 'Warnie' Child (@WarnieDT) May 2, 2022

Now the JackJumpers’ next task is to take on the Sydney Kings in the best-of-three NBL Grand Final, which tips off later this week.

The Kings will go in as red-hot favourites but if we’ve learned anything from the JackJumpers, it would be foolish to write them off.