LEAPFROGGING their opponents over the last few weeks, Tasmania JackJumpers have the opportunity to push further clear of New Zealand Breakers when the two most southern sides do battle on Boxing Day tonight. The JackJumpers host the Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, and will be looking to make it four wins from their past five games, while the Breakers hope to snap a three-game losing streak.

Tasmania still has work to do if it is to avoid the Playoffs and instead go straight to the Finals, sitting two wins adrift of Perth Wildcats, not helped by the defeat to the Wildcats in the past week. By the same token, the JackJumpers are still a couple of victories clear of the Breakers, and can add further heartbreak to New Zealand with a win on the Apple Isle.

If the Breakers are to feature in the post-season, they need to find form and fast, suffering a disappointing loss to the Bullets this week, even with Brisbane missing a number of key players. Now on a three-game losing slump, New Zealand will be hoping the Christmas break and reinvigorated the side to come out and post a memorable away win.

Tasmania JackJumpers vs. New Zealand Breakers

MyState Bank Arena
Friday, December 26 @ 7:30pm

Tasmania’s big issue in the 2025/26 season has been scoring, averaging just 85.9 points per game. While the JackJumpers have been able to keep their opposition to around the same average, the Tasmanian side is ranked ninth of 10 teams in that front. The Breakers have averaged the fifth highest in the competition with 88.9 points per game, but have also conceded 89.4 per game.

A lot has been left on the shoulders of import Bryce Hamilton who is one of only three JackJumpers – alongside Josh Bannan and David Johnson – who has managed double-digit points per game this season. Hamilton is putting up 19.2 points, as well as a team-high 3.8 assists to be the key to unlocking the JackJumpers’ offence. He will need to be at his best once again, taking on a Breakers side that has plenty of ability to turn the ball over and score on transition.

Much like Hamilton, the Breakers need to find support for Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who has been enormous at both ends, averaging 1.6 steals per game, as well as 7.7 assists. They are incredible numbers considering the Breakers’ playmaker has also put up a team-high 17.4 points, just clear of fellow scorer Sam Mennenga. Mennega is also pulling in the boards with 7.2 per match.

Mennega up against Bannan will be a great head-to-head in the contest, and if the JackJumpers can get Will Magnay back to his best – he has put up double-digit rebounds in two of his past three games – then it will assist the home side in getting on top close to the basket. Majok Deng is another player who can step up for a key role for the JackJumpers, but has been inconsistent of late.

It is a tough end of the year for the JackJumpers schedule wise, with five games in 11 days through to December 31, though fortunately three of those have or will, come at home. In the same time period, the Breakers only play two matches, with their loss against the Bullets and now the JackJumpers battle marking a close to the year for the New Zealand side who has been on the road since December 13. The Breakers get a breather until a home match on January 4, but will hope to bring in the new year with a good finish here.