COVID Disrupts NBL21 Season Again

The COVID crisis in Australia has caused further disruption to the Sky Sport Breakers’ schedule, with the NBL announcing unavoidable changes for the opening round of NBL21.

The Breakers’ opening game against the Perth Wildcats is postponed after Western Australia reinstated its hard border with Queensland following the three-day Brisbane lockdown.

The Wildcats have been in Queensland for pre-season games and been caught out but remain hopeful they can get an exemption to return to Western Australia.

However, the players would still be required to self-quarantine for 14-days on their return, which rubs out the opening game against the Breakers in Perth next Sunday.

The Breakers’ Round 2 clash against the 36ers in Adelaide on Wednesday January 20 is almost certain to be their opening game of the NBL season, because there are no COVID cases in South Australia.

There are no plans for the Breakers to move away from their temporary base in Hobart before the start of the season because Tasmania also remains COVID free.

The NBL will now stage games exclusively in South Australia and Queensland for the opening round. The games will be as follows:

Friday January 15

Adelaide 36ers v Melbourne United, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 9.30pm

Saturday January 16

Brisbane Bullets v TBC, Nissan Arena, 7.30pm (TBC) Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings, Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 10pm

Sunday January 17

Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 5pm

Monday January 18

Cairns Taipans v The Hawks, Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 9.30pm

All times are NZ Time.  Games will be broadcast on SKY Sport.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: “The latest changes to the schedule have been made necessary by the developments in Queensland where we currently have five teams, Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans, Melbourne United, Adelaide 36ers and Perth Wildcats.

“We will start the season in Cairns and Adelaide, but we will continue to monitor the situation in Brisbane in the hope we can also host a game there in the opening round.

"We will continue to stay flexible and be guided by the relevant state health authorities, but our intention is still for all teams to play 14 home games across the season when they are able to do so.

“As always, we remain grateful to our clubs, players, officials, partners and fans for their understanding and patience as we navigate these ongoing challenges and now look forward to the start of our 43rd consecutive season.”