KEEPING their hopes of a late charge into the play-in tournament alive, the New Zealand Breakers managed to escape Wollongong with a win over the Illawarra Hawks in some Sunday hoops in the National Basketball League (NBL).

The Breakers came into yesterday’s clash fresh off their worst loss of the season, a 41-point defeat at the hands of the Sydney Kings on Friday night, upping the stakes for their encounter with the Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday. With the home side fighting to keep their own season alive, a bounce-back win was not going to be easy for New Zealand.

However, the Breakers looked the better side for most of the matchup, making the most of a sloppy performance from the Hawks at times to hold on for a five-point triumph on the road, which is enough to ensure they stay a chance for a top six spot in the coming weeks.

Illawarra Hawks (96) def. by New Zealand Breakers (101)

The Hawks will be left to rue a wasted opportunity in what may prove a decisive result in their championship defence. Illawarra came into the clash one spot below the Breakers in eighth position and in desperate need of a win itself to keep its 2025/26 campaign alive, with the Hawks unable to back up their efforts from last season to date, where they finished at the top of the table and won the championship.

However, turnovers have been a point of concern for the reigning champions all season long, and they were a defining factor within the match at WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday. The Hawks turned the ball over 19 times against the Breakers, including a crucial error with the game in the balance in the dying stages of the contest.

With Illawarra still within three points of the Breakers and eight seconds on the clock, the Hawks had possession and William Hickey inbounded the ball to the team’s premier clutch shotmaker in Tyler Harvey, who has stepped up in these situations time and time again, and is the safest person to take the game-tying shot.

However, Harvey slightly stepped into the backcourt, which saw the Breakers retake possession and hold on for a five-point win. It was the story of the match for Illawarra, showing plenty of promise but being brought undone by an error, and New Zealand was not willing to waste any added opportunities presented by the opposition.

It was another terrific performance from point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who was his typical inspirational self against the Hawks in a gutsy performance from New Zealand’s main man. He finished the match with 23 points (3/5 3PT), seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals, showing plenty of heart and proving the difference in a lot of ways.

He was not the only standout for the Breakers, with his supporting cast showing just how integral they are to the team’s chances of making an appearance in the postseason. Big man Sam Mennenga faced a tall order coming up against the intimidating duo of JaVale McGee and Sam Froling in the frontcourt, but passed the test with 21 points, while Izaiah Brockington had 20 points and five assists of his own in the win.

Another encouraging sign from the Breakers was the rock-solid performance from NBL Next Star and NBA Draft hopeful Karim Lopez, who continues to impress as a valued member of New Zealand’s starting lineup. The young wing produced a stat-stuffing performance, posting 16 points, six dimes, five steals and four boards, in yet another performance that would have done his draft chances no harm.

For the Hawks, QJ Peterson was the best performer in defeat, coming off the bench to produce 22 points and six assists, while showing care with the ball despite his teammates turning the rock over at times. The import has been in strong form of late, and although it was a sloppy performance overall from the Hawks, he was a shining light.