Back in Black but Not in the Winners Circle

The BNZ New Zealand Breakers gave the club’s new ownership group, and its home fans, plenty to cheer but ultimately came up short as the Brisbane Bullets kick-started their season with a 104-95 victory at Spark Arena in Auckland on Friday night.

For the hosts, the mercurial Parker Jackson-Cartwright tallied 16 points, 12 assists, and three steals while new imports Izaiah Brockington and Rob Baker II scored 16 and 12, respectively. Sam Mennenga (14 points) and the returning Reuben Te Rangi (12 points) made valuable contributions, as did Carlin Davison. The Taranaki native made his highest score in BNZ Breakers colours, adding 12 points to 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a highly promising performance.

The Bullets enjoyed outstanding contributions from Casey Prather, who made 4 from 8 threes on his way to a game high 27 points, while Kiwi centre Tyrell Harrison racked up a big double-double of 24 points  (8/11FG, 8/8FT) and 14 rebounds, and Javon Freeman-Liberty did most of his good work late to finish with 17 points.

The BNZ Breakers won the rebounding count 42-34 but will rue a poor shooting effort from beyond the arc, making just 5 from 29 (17%) compared with the Bullets' 10 from 25 at 40%.

The opening quarter was shaded by the Bullets 21-20. Nine points from Casey Prather helped the Bullets build a six-point advantage before the BNZ Breakers closed the frame with a 7-2 run.

A put-back dunk from Next Star Karim López propelled the BNZ Breakers into the lead. Of more concern to new Brisbane Bullets coach Stu Lash at the time would have been the departure of experienced guard Mitch Norton, who had to be helped from the court with a serious-looking knee injury.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright moved into double figures with a pair of eye-catching moves, and when the returning Te Rangi converted a powerful drive, the hosts held a 44-42 lead. However, the last say of the half belonged to Jaylen Adams – his buzzer beater giving the Bullets a 46-44 advantage.

Davison became the second BNZ Breaker to move into double figures, though a brace of threes from Prather and the dominant inside presence of Harrison combined to give the Bullets a 74-66 lead at the three-quarter mark.

McDaniel stretched the Bullets' lead to double digits, although when Rob Loe landed a deep three to reduce the margin to four points, a Breakers comeback looked on the cards.

That the comeback failed to materialise was largely due to the excellence of Harrison and Prather.

The BNZ Breakers have a short turnaround as they visit Melbourne United on Sunday (tip-off 4:30 pm NZT). The NBL 2025 Grand Finalists already with a win under their belts, having defeated the Tasmania Jack Jumpers on Thursday night.

Next Home Game: 27th September vs Perth Wildcats, 7:30 PM, Spark Arena.

https://fans.nzbreakers.basketball/tickets 

 Result:

BNZ Breakers 95 (Jackson-Cartwright 16, Brockington 16, Mennenga 14, Te Rangi 12, Baker 12, Davison 12)

 Brisbane Bullets 104 (Prather 27, Harrison 24, Freeman-Liberty 17, Adams 14, Ducas 10, McDaniel 10)