The Tall Blacks Asia Cup basketball qualification matches against Australian and Hong Kong have been postponed because of COVID-19.
The Tall Blacks were due to host Hong Kong on Friday and Australia on Monday.
Basketball New Zealand High-Performance Manager Leonard King said the global pandemic and the relative isolation of New Zealand has defied all the best-laid plans.
Tai Webster and the Tall Blacks won't get to play Australia and Hong Kong this month. Photo: Photosport
"We have been working on various options to get games played for months, not knowing what the situation was going to be like come late November.
Unfortunately, however, current border restrictions and quarantine regulations mean we simply couldn't get on the floor in November, but we remain hopeful that some of these restrictions may ease in time for games to be played early next year."
"Understandably everyone is nervous of any unnecessary travel and the impact that might have on their wellbeing in these uncertain times."
King said while it's disappointing given Tall Blacks strong 2019 World Cup results and win a over Australia in February in the first round of the Asia Cup qualifiers, BNZ remains committed to playing the qualifiers and fulfilling other upcoming international commitments.
The next FIBA window is scheduled for 15 to 23 February he's hopeful the matches may go ahead then subject to border and quarantine restrictions being relaxed.
The Tall Blacks are currently top of Group C after defeating Australia and Guam in the first round during February this year.
