GIVEN their placement just outside of the top-six in the National Basketball League (NBL), every game must be a win for the New Zealand Breakers from here on out, but in their way tonight are the red-hot SEM Phoenix.

The Breakers currently occupy seventh spot on the ladder in the NBL, two wins behind the Tasmania JackJumpers and running out of time with the season winding down. However, Tassie just lost big man Will Magnay to a season-ending foot injury, which is a massive blow, so the door is certainly still open for New Zealand.

Tonight may prove a tough test for the Breakers, with the Phoenix one of the form teams of the competition and a massive threat to the championship, so if New Zealand is to keep winning, they will need to produce the upset.

South East Melbourne Phoenix vs. New Zealand Breakers

State Basketball Centre
Wednesday, January 21 @ 7:30pm

The Phoenix have been one of the biggest surprise packets of NBL26, emerging as a serious championship contender and coming off one of their most impressive win of the season, defeating the Adelaide 36ers in HoopsFest last weekend, showing that they are as good as anyone and will be difficult to stop come season’s end.

South East Melbourne sit in second spot, trailing the Sixers by two wins and still a good chance of stealing top position by season’s end. If they can knock off a desperate Breakers side and Adelaide drops a couple of games in the coming week, the Phoenix may finish the 2025/26 season as minor champions and enter the finals with plenty of momentum.

Nathan Sobey has been the team’s best performer throughout their campaign, but he missed the win over the Sixers, and it was Ian Clark who stepped up against the ladder-leaders with 27 points, showing just how dangerous this team is. Given the depth, the Breakers may have trouble slowing down South East Melbourne on the offensive end.

The Breakers remain a mathematical chance of making the postseason, despite sitting outside of the play-in as it stands. The JackJumpers losing their most important player is huge for New Zealand’s chances of moving up, but they will have to keep winning, and tonight’s matchup may be the toughest on their current winning streak.

One thing in the Breakers’ favour is their record in the Ignite Cup, winning all three of their outings so far in the tournament. While the Phoenix will be a tall order, New Zealand has shown the ability to get the job done on Wednesday night, and will be eager to remain undefeated on this front and make a statement to the remainder of the competition.

It is a simple equation when it comes to key performers for the Breakers, with point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright the captain of the ship and far and away the most important player in the lineup. If he can not only get his own scoring game but also create consistent scoring opportunities for others, it will bode well for New Zealand’s chances.