New Zealand Breakers sweep Illawarra Hawks to keep playoff hopes alive
The New Zealand Breakers kept their NBL playoff aspirations alive with a clinical 106–95 victory over the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on Saturday night.
In a gutsy and resolute display, the depleted home side defied the odds again, playing without three regular starters – Karim Lopez, Sam Mennenga, and Rob Baker – to secure a vital win in front of a vocal Auckland crowd.
A number of standout performers stepped up in the absence of the injured trio. Izayah Brockington led the charge with a season-high 27 points, while star floor general Parker Jackson-Cartwright produced a masterful 23 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Tai Webster celebrated his 50th appearance for the club with 17 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
Leading 84–80 at three-quarter time, the Breakers weathered a significant Hawks comeback which saw the margin trimmed to just two points in the final period. However, Jackson-Cartwright seized control of the tempo, scoring nine points in the fourth quarter to hold the visitors at bay. When Webster and Brockington converted back-to-back baskets inside the final three minutes, the resistance of the defending champions was finally broken.
Following a Tasmania JackJumpers victory a day earlier, both teams entered the contest knowing only a win would sustain their postseason hopes.
Brockington signalled his intent early, scoring the Breakers’ opening seven points. Despite the Breakers being whistled for four fouls in the opening three minutes – including two on Jackson-Cartwright that forced him to the bench – the home side remained composed. Brockington and Webster combined for 19 points to hand New Zealand a 33–25 lead at the first break.
Jack Andrew showed he could deliver, connecting on triples either side of the quarter break to stretch the advantage to 10 points.
With Brockington amassing 19 points in the opening half and the team shooting 54% from beyond the arc, the Breakers held a comfortable 61–50 lead at halftime. While the Hawks reduced a game-high 16-point deficit to just four points by the end of the third, the Breakers’ late-game execution ensured they completed a 4-0 season sweep of the 2025 champions.
The Breakers now have a week to recover before travelling to face the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday. They return home for their final regular-season fixture against the Cairns Taipans at Eventfinda Stadium on Thursday, February 19.
New Zealand Breakers 106 (Izayah Brockington 27 points, Parker Jackson-Cartwright 23, Tai Webster 17, Reuben Te Rangi 13, Rob Loe 13)
Illawarra Hawks 95 (Tyler Harvey 19 points, Todd Blanchfield 19, JaVale McGee 15, Will Hickey 14)