Milton Keynes edged Bristol 99-98 to improve their top-four chances, and can now look to push on with a road trip to strugglers Nottingham Hoods.
The Hoods have a double-header this weekend, providing a great opportunity to change the balance in the relegation scrap if they can collect another win or two.
We take a look at all the weekend's match-ups below, with links to live stats at the bottom of the page.
Third hosts second on Sunday as Reading take a trip to Derby.
Both teams sit in the top four but with the likes of Milton Keynes, Loughborough and Essex all hunting close below, neither side will want to drop points at a crucial stage of the season.
With the news that import guard David Simental is done for the season, Derby still won last time out as they topped Newcastle 78-59.
Forward Mo Walker and guard Jai Pathmarajah both put in Team of the Week performances in the victory, signalling their ability to step up and help Derby in the coming weeks.
Reading's Victor Olarerin also made the latest D1M standout five after his antics in the Rockets' 89-88 nail-biter against Loughborough, a continuation of a standout season for the talented guard.
Averaging 16.3PPG on the season, Olarerin remains a key part of his side's offence alongside Mitch Clarke (17.0PPG, 6.6APG) and Justin Hopkins (19.1PPG).
Reading took the previous league meeting between the sides at Lodden Valley back in January, 105-92, thanks to 39 points from Clarke. That victory forms part of a Rockets' trio for the season, with Coach Nuruzade's side also knocking the Trailblazers out of both the NBL National Cup and the KitKing Trophy this season.
It's fourth time lucky for the Trailblazers then, who will try to lean on their recent defensive focus for a change of fortunes. DTB have allowed just 60.0PPG across their last three wins, well below their 78.8PPG average, in victories against Newcastle, Bristol and Loughborough.
After conceding over 90 points per meeting with the Rockets, upping their defensive input may be the key for Derby this time around.
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The weekend begins in the North East with the first of Nottingham Hoods' (5-13) two games as they take on Newcastle Knights (6-12).
With just two points separating the sides going into the weekend, this could well be one of the games of the weekend.
Stuttering form has seen City of Birmingham Rockets' (7-13) playoff hopes take a battering in recent weeks. With just four games left in their season to pick up valuable points, including tomorrow's trip to Essex Rebels (10-7), time is running out to improve their current prospects.
Worthing Thunder (4-16) are another side with just four games remaining on the season. Currently occupying bottom spot, that presents a problem for the Thunder that they'll be hoping to ease as they head to London Cavaliers (7-10).
Reading begin their double-header weekend with a trip to Bristol Hurricanes (9-10). The Hurricanes' overall record represents their current form, going 2-3 in their last five. That stretch includes three losses on the bounce though, including Thursday's heart breaker against MK, making a meeting with second place Reading an even more daunting task.
Derby, like Reading, are also in Saturday action. The Trailblazers have a resurgent Bradford Dragons (5-12) to overcome, with the West Yorkshire side looking to improve on their record of five wins from seven games in 2025.
Hemel Storm (17-1) can't quite claim the D1M title if results go their way this weekend, but they're sure to keep on pushing to make that a reality. Sunday's trip to Essex won't be an easy one, especially against the Rebels' D1M-leading defence (77.4PPG allowed).
That just leaves Nottingham to wrap up the weekend with the second of their games, a tricky contest as they head out to take on Milton Keynes Breakers (12-7).
MK had won five in a row before being cooled off by Hemel last weekend, but you wouldn't bank against Jordan Spencer and Co. getting on a similar streak before the season is done.
Their victory against Bristol on Thursday evening was also the kind that can kickstart momentum, winning 99-98 thanks to a KJ Johnson buzzer beater, and surely providing the Breakers with a spring in their step from here on out.
7pm - Milton Keynes Breakers 99-98 Bristol Hurricanes - LIVE STATS
2pm - Newcastle Knights vs Nottingham Hoods - LIVE STATS
2pm - Essex Rebels vs City of Birmingham Rockets - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
4pm - London Cavaliers vs Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
5:30pm - Bristol Hurricanes vs Reading Rockets - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6:15pm - Bradford Dragons vs Derby Trailblazers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
4pm - Derby Trailblazers vs Reading Rockets - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
4pm - Essex Rebels vs Hemel Storm - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
6:15pm - Nottingham Hoods vs Milton Keynes Breakers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS
Live stream details will be added as they become available
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Main image credit - Nick Higgins
