Preview | BNZ Breakers v Adelaide 36ers

The BNZ Breakers make their long-awaited return to Spark Arena for the first time in October with coach Gordie Herbert back at the helm as they host the Adelaide 36ers on Friday night.

The last time the BNZ Breakers played at home on September 30 it was quite the memorable occasion in the 23-point victory against the Cairns Taipans.

A lot has happened in the five games over the past month in Australia since including Parker Jackson-Cartwright going out and returning, Sam Mennenga and Carlin Davison producing superstar level performances, and Nelson Weidemann now having been in the line-up the last two games.

The BNZ Breakers were also without head coach Gordie Herbert due to illness on Sunday in Cairns for the last of those five consecutive away matches, but he'll be back on deck this Friday night.

The BNZ Breakers mark their return home to Spark Arena by playing the 36ers this Friday night with tip-off at 7:30pm local time and they come into the match up with a 4-5 record this NBL season.

The Sixers arrive also with a 4-5 record so there's plenty on the line for both teams coming into the Round 7 match up.

It's the second meeting of the two teams already this season as well with the first clash taking place in Adelaide back on October 4 in what was the first game of the recent road stretch for the BNZ Breakers.

That was an impressive win for New Zealand, beating the 36ers 88-72, with Jackson-Cartwright brilliant with 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while Mojave King had 18 points, DJ Vasiljevic 15 and Sam Mennenga 14 with five rebounds and five assists.

So far the BNZ Breakers have only played twice in nine games at home at Spark Arena. They've also won both beating the Illawarra Hawks first up and then beating the Taipans a month ago.

Those wins came by a combined 30 points as well so coach Herbert is hoping that even though there's been a month in between, that they can continue that impressive form in front of the home fans.

"We have only played two games at home, so it is really good to be back at home in front of our fans and we are looking forward to being back here," Herbert said.

"It has been a tough spell but there were good points to being on the road, we were together a lot and you learn a lot more about each other on the road than at home, but it is good to be home.

"We are definitely more connected, we know each other better. To a certain extent for me it is not whether we win or lose, it is a case of are we getting better or not.

"We have a ways to go, we don’t win anything in October, but we can lose something. More important is where are we week by week heading into December and January.

"It is important that we keep our home court, we are 2-0, we have to keep that because of all the games we have had on the road. It is not life or death though, it is the next game and that is how we are preparing to play."

Jackson-Cartwright made his return after missing the previous three games for the BNZ Breakers in Cairns on Sunday and finished with 14 points, nine assists and six rebounds.

He's now averaging 24.5 points, 9.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds for the season as he prepares for another battle with six-time MVP Bryce Cotton who's again delivering 27.4 points and 7.1 assists for the Sixers to date in NBL27.

"It is a great thing for the fans to see two of the better players in the league," Herbert said.

"Obviously, Bryce Cotton has done it year after year after year. I am impressed with him and his demeanour on the floor and Parker is very much the same way.

"Parker was playing at an extremely high level before the injury, it is just a matter of him getting back into a rhythm and to the same level.

"Parker is looking good, his mentality is very good and positive. He looks good going forward. He is on minutes restrictions, it has increased a little but very positive going forward."

Two-time BNZ Breakers championship winner in the NBL, Reuben Te Rangi, played his 400-game milestone on Sunday in Cairns and that achievement will be celebrated on Friday night at Spark Arena as well.

Herbert has the utmost respect for Te Rangi already from having worked with him this season and knows he deserves any recognition that comes his way.

"Reuben is just a great professional, I think he exemplifies what this club is about, he cares and represents this club in a tremendous way," Herbert said.

"I think it is great for the country and the team that he is here with this team because he is the ultimate team person."

Following Friday night's game at home, the BNZ Breakers are back on the road on Monday to take on Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.

BNZ Breakers v Adelaide 36ers

Spark Arena
Friday 30 October, 2026
7:30pm tipoff (NZ time)
Tickets available by clicking here ‍