NBA Intrigue as Breakers' NBL Schedule for Next Season is Released

The intriguing schedule for the upcoming NBL24 season has been released and the Sky Sport Breakers’ opening game is already being earmarked as a sellout.

Incredibly though, the fact the game is against the rival Cairns Taipans on September 30 is an afterthought.

The real significance is that it will be Captain Tom Abercrombie’s 400^th game – and the word is he is close to signing a new contract with the club for next season.

He currently sits on 399 appearances games for the club, the most ever in Breakers’ history.

Other dates to circle include a rematch against the Sky Sport Breakers and the champion Sydney Kings on November 5.

The Breakers also play New Year’s Day against the Jackjumpers in Tasmania.

CLICK HERE FOR 2023/24 NBL SCHEDULE

But the release of the schedule also brings about fascination because there is a large gap between rounds two and four in October.

Breakers’ Owner Matt Walsh has already strongly hinted the club will play two NBA games in America next season.

Previously, the Breakers have played games against the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder.

As yet, there has not been official confirmation of the games.

“Anticipation for next season is already building with a lot of drama unfolding in the off-season,” NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said.

“There’s been plenty of player movement from club to club, teams making big offers to Free Agents, star players returning home, the recruitment of more amazing Next Stars all looking to make it to the NBA, local talent desperate for success and clubs out for redemption, while the champion Kings will be hoping for a three-peat. 

“With more Next Stars on the horizon, exciting new imports, more player movement, and former NBL players such as Xavier Cooks and Jarrell Brantley making the NBA after strong NBL campaigns - I can’t remember a better lead-in to a season in my time.”
 
Free agency has provided plenty of headlines with Keanu Pinder moving to Perth, William McDowell-White staying in New Zealand, Luke Travers and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr joining Melbourne, and NBA hopeful AJ Johnson landing in Illawarra as a Next Star.
 
“These signings have created great excitement, and now supporters from all 10 teams can mark their calendars and plan their summers around the new schedule,” Kestelman added.
 
“The NBL’s growth has been unprecedented, and we are confident that we will usher in the biggest season ever when the season tips-off in September.”
 
The Hungry Jack’s NBL Round will launch the season across the first two rounds to celebrate the start of the season.
 
Both Indigenous Round and Champion Pride Round will return, and an exciting new Warner Brothers Round will take place. 
 
After the incredible success of last year’s historic Christmas game, the NBL has doubled down with four teams set to play on the evening of December 25, with Tasmania v South East Melbourne and Sydney v Illawarra.
 
Illawarra and Cairns will continue their traditional hostings on New Year’s Eve, while New Year’s Day basketball will head to Tasmania.
 
Every game of the season will be broadcast live on Sky Sport.
 
Highlights of the 2023/24 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season include:
 
·         Tip-off: United vs Phoenix - Sept 28
·         Travers returns to Perth: Wildcats vs United - Oct 13
·         Championship Series re-match: Kings v Breakers - Nov 5
·         Melbourne Cup Eve: United v Wildcats – Nov 6
·         Christmas Eve: 36ers v Bullets - Dec 24
·         Christmas Night: JackJumpers v Phoenix, Kings v Hawks - Dec 25
·         Pinder returns to Cairns: Taipans v Wildcats - Dec 26
·         New Year’s Eve: Hawks v 36ers, Taipans v United - Dec 31
·         New Year’s Day: JackJumpers v Breakers – Jan 1