A WHOPPING eight games of action took place in Round 6 of the 2024/25 National Basketball League (NBL) fixture over the weekend, and the results kept the season’s craziness going.

From Thursday to Sunday, there were double-headers aplenty with fans given lots to digest across an exciting weekend of NBL action. There were blowouts, upsets and overtime thrillers to showcase the high quality of the competition this year.

As is the case every week, Rookie Me Central will be providing a game-by-game rundown of the weekend’s action and how it has affected the race for the finals.

NBL Wrapped – Round 6

New Zealand Breakers (62) def. by SEM Phoenix (88)

The Phoenix made it two in a row when they defeated the Breakers by 26 points at Spark Arena to kickstart the action for Round 6. After managing an impressive maiden win for the season in the Throwdown the week before, South East Melbourne snagged a second consecutive win with a dominant performance against New Zealand to breathe some life into its season.

Import Matt Hurt led the way for the Breakers, posting 18 points and seven rebounds as he continues his red-hot start to the season. Hurt has been one of the best scorers in the NBL over the first six rounds of the season, and kept that trend going with another eye-catching offensive performance. Once again, Parker Jackson-Cartwright was the shining light for the Breakers with 19 points and six assists.

NZL	17	18	16	11	62
SEM	27	20	18	23	88

Top performers:
Matt Hurt (SEM) – 19 points, seven rebounds
Parker-Jackson-Cartwright (NZ) – 19 points, six assists

Illawarra Hawks (87) def. by Melbourne United (92)

Melbourne made it a great night for Victorian fans by knocking off the Illawarra Hawks in the second clash of Thursday at WIN Entertainment Centre. United produced one of the wins of NBL25 by defeating the ladder-leaders on their home court, and despite some controversy at the end of the game surrounding fouls, strengthened its championship credentials with a gritty road win that demonstrated this team is as dangerous as anyone.

Sharpshooter Chris Goulding was at his damaging best for Melbourne in the win over the Hawks, posting 25 points and bringing his signature perimeter presence, while big man Jack White was enormous for the victors. He posted a huge double-double of 12 points and 19 rebounds, and nailed some crucial free throws down the stretch to seal the game.

ILL	21	16	21	29	87
MEL	18	22	19	33	92

Top performers:
Chris Goulding (MEL) – 25 points
Jack White (MEL) – 12 points, 19 rebounds

Adelaide 36ers (99) def. Cairns Taipans (92)

In an overtime thriller, the Sixers produced a tremendous win over the Taipans to the tune of seven points at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday night. Cairns looked in the box seat after producing an astounding shooting performance from behind the arc in the first half.

The visitors could not miss at times, making it tough for the home side to keep up offensively. However, the Sixers stormed home to force overtime, and were the better side in the extra period after Cairns’ shooting died off.

Fresh off signing with Adelaide for the remainder of the season, Montrezl Harrell continued his case for the MVP award with a simply masterful performance. He delivered the best performance of the season with 35 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks, truly demonstrating why he is one of the best talents in the competition. Whether it was bullying his way in the post or surprisingly stretching the floor with some three-pointers, he could not be stopped.

ADL	21	22	22	23	11	99
CNS	27	32	14	15	5	93

Top performers:
Montrezl Harrell (ADL) – 35 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks
Kendric Davis (ADL) – 29 points, eight assists

Perth Wildcats (87) def. Sydney Kings (84)

It was Bryce Cotton, no problem for the Wildcats as they defeated the Kings at RAC Arena in a massive upset on Friday night. Perth entered the game as massive underdogs after losing their superstar point guard, but dominated the third quarter 24-16 and held on in the fourth term to show there is still life in this roster despite the absence of the four-time MVP.

Big man Keanu Pinder needed to step up after Cotton was ruled out, and answered the call in emphatic fashion. He erupted for 34 points on 11/18 shooting in a physical battle with Xavier Cooks in the post, showing he can lead from the front in the coming weeks. Pinder’s teammate Kristian Doolittle did the dirty work allowing the centre to thrive on the scoring front, and the latter pulled down 14 rebounds including six on the offensive end.

PER	21	20	24	22	87
SYD	21	23	16	24	84

Top performers:
Keanu Pinder (PER) – 34 points, four rebounds
Xavier Cooks (SYD) – 22 points, 11 rebounds, six assists

SEM Phoenix (82) def. by Illawarra Hawks (88)

The Hawks bounced back after a loss earlier in the round to break South East Melbourne’s winning streak when the two sides locked horns at John Cain Arena on Saturday evening. Illawarra jumped out to a hefty lead in the second quarter, and although the Phoenix improved in the second half, the Hawks held on for a crucial win as they look to stay atop the standings.

Veteran guard Tyler Harvey was the man of the moment for the winning side, playing a vital role with his scoring ability despite being in enemy territory. He delivered 22 points and knocked down six three-pointers on eight attempts in an excellent shooting display. The Phoenix were again led by the scoring power of Hurt, who had another 18 points in an impressive showing.

SEM	19	20	26	17	82
ILL	15	30	29	14	88

Top performers:
Tyler Harvey (ILL) – 22 points, four rebounds, three assists
Matt Hurt (SEM) – 18 points, nine rebounds

Brisbane Bullets (79) def. by Tasmania JackJumpers (87)

A gritty performance from the reigning champions has seen the JackJumpers defeat the Bullets in the final game of Saturday at Nissan Arena. Tasmania again relied on its defence to gain ascendancy in the match, holding the home side to just nine points in the first term and jumping out to an early lead. Although Brisbane did lift as the game rolled on, the JackJumpers held on down the stretch to get a much-needed result.

It was an excellent team performance from the winning side, with four of the five starters recording double-digits in the points column. Point guard Jordan Crawford was the best of a great bunch, producing 16 points and six assists in another creative performance from the import. Brisbane was well-led by the efforts of Mitch Norton, who had 20 points of his own.

BRI	9	23	30	17	79
TAS	20	22	17	28	87

Top performers:
Jordan Crawford (TAS) – 16 points, six assists
Mitch Norton (BRI) – 20 points, five assists

Sydney Kings (89) def. by New Zealand Breakers (93)

The upsets just kept on coming as the Breakers defeated the Kings at Qudos Bank Arena in the first match of Sunday’s double-header. Sydney got off to a better start, and looked on track after the first quarter. However, New Zealand’s offence erupted for 30 points in the second period, and after the teams traded baskets down the stretch, it was the visitors who emerged victorious, cementing their status as a genuine contender for the title this season.

Jackson-Cartwright was again the star of the show for the Breakers, posting impressive numbers of 21 points, five rebounds and eight assists as he continues to be one of the most productive players in the competition. Also catching the eye was Next Star Karim Lopez, who posted a double-double in his return from injury.

SYD	25	20	24	20	89
NZL	18	31	23	21	93

Top performers:
Parker Jackson-Cartwright (NZ) – 21 points, five rebounds, eight assists
Karim Lopez (NZ) – 13 points, 10 rebounds

Melbourne United (106) def. Cairns Taipans (63)

The final game of the round saw United claim a thumping victory, blowing out the Taipans by 43 points at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon. Melbourne looked the better side for the entirety of the match, jumping out to a commanding lead in the opening minutes and never looking back from there. The Taipans were simply outclassed by a United team that is firing on all cylinders at the moment and will take some stopping.

For Melbourne, Flynn Cameron was the standout, posting a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds in a breakout performance that included plenty of highlights. White was again impressive with 16 points and 13 rebounds and has worked his way into the season nicely, while Chris Goulding also had 15 points.

MEL	23	31	30	22	106
CNS	12	18	19	14	63

Top performers:
Flynn Cameron (MEL) – 18 points, 10 rebounds
Jack White (MEL) – 16 points, 13 rebounds