Breakers Crush Hawks in 42-Point Statement Win

The New Zealand Breakers produced their most complete performance of the NBL26 season, dismantling the Illawarra Hawks 102–60 in Wollongong to claim their first road win in emphatic fashion.

After coughing up big leads in recent weeks, the Breakers left no room for a repeat this time — shooting out to a double-digit advantage early and never letting up. By the final buzzer, they’d handed the defending champions a humbling 42-point defeat, the largest winning margin of the season.

Sam Mennenga was dominant with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Rob Baker II delivered his breakout performance in New Zealand colours, scoring 19 on 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Next Star Karim Lopez filled the box score with 14 points, eight boards, five assists and two steals, while Izaiah Brockington (12 points) and Parker Jackson-Cartwright (11 points, six assists) steered the attack.

The tone was set early as the Breakers opened with the first eight points and closed the first quarter on a 6–0 burst to lead 31–18. Mennenga’s inside-out play proved unstoppable, while the Breakers’ energy on both ends suffocated an Illawarra side that looked flat and disjointed.

By halftime, the Breakers led 52–34, shooting 48 per cent to the Hawks’ 33. Then came a third-quarter blitz — a near-flawless 10-minute stretch where New Zealand outscored Illawarra 27–10, forcing seven turnovers and breaking the game wide open.

JaVale McGee (13 points, 10 rebounds) was the lone bright spot for the Hawks early, but he went scoreless after halftime. Tyler Harvey battled for 11 points on a tough 2-of-11 shooting night, while Championship Series hero Davo Hickey (six points, six assists) and new import QJ Peterson (four points, 1-of-10) worked back into rhythm after returning from injury.

It was a brutal night for Illawarra (2–5), who struggled to string together any consistent offence and were crushed on the glass by a sharper, hungrier Breakers unit.

New Zealand coach Mody Maor’s side finally exorcised their recent demons, holding their focus through four quarters and showing the composure that deserted them in previous collapses.

The Hawks now travel to Adelaide to face the 36ers on Sunday, while the Breakers host the same opponent in Christchurch next Thursday.

Final score: New Zealand Breakers 102 defeated Illawarra Hawks 60.