Breakers Ignite Season With Record-Breaking Win Over Hawks

The New Zealand Breakers finally found their spark — and it came in spectacular fashion. Behind a record-setting performance from Parker Jackson-Cartwright, the Breakers torched the Illawarra Hawks 117–88 at Spark Arena to open the NBL’s new Ignite Cup in style.

After dropping their first four games of NBL26, the Breakers erupted for a statement win that combined pace, precision, and near-flawless execution. Jackson-Cartwright was at the heart of it all, producing one of the finest all-round displays in recent league memory — 20 points, 17 assists, and just one turnover — to lead New Zealand to their first victory of the season.

The lightning-quick American guard not only dictated the tempo but set a new 40-minute era assists record, surpassing the previous mark of 15 shared by Melbourne’s Nate Tomlinson (2013) and Cairns’ Tahjere McCall (2023). Only Derek Rucker’s 24 dimes from 1994, achieved in the old 48-minute format, stand ahead of him in NBL history.

New Zealand’s ball movement was sublime. The Breakers totalled 30 assists, shot 18-of-40 from three-point range, and never trailed across four quarters, registering a perfect 4–0 Ignite Cup start in the league’s new in-season tournament. Sam Mennenga was superb with 20 points, six rebounds and four triples. Reuben Te Rangi poured in 18 points on 4-of-8 from deep, and teenage Next Star Karim Lopez impressed again with 16 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Izaiah Brockington (14 points) and Carlin Davison (12 points) rounded out a complete team effort.

For a club averaging just 82.5 points through its opening four losses, the transformation was remarkable. From the opening tip, the Breakers attacked with purpose, spacing the floor and carving up Illawarra’s defence. They led 30–24 at quarter-time and 53–38 midway through the second before a brief Hawks rally, led by JaVale McGee, trimmed the margin.

McGee—the three-time NBA champion — battled hard again, finishing with 19 points, five assists, three rebounds and three blocks. But his unsportsmanlike foul with less than a second left in the half proved costly, allowing Rob Loe to extend the Breakers’ lead before the break.

From there, New Zealand never looked back. They won every quarter, stretching their advantage behind a relentless offensive rhythm. Jackson-Cartwright’s control was clinical, and when Mennenga detonated a vicious left-handed dunk off his 17th assist late in the fourth, Spark Arena erupted.

Tyler Harvey top-scored for the Hawks with 22 points and five assists, while Mason Peatling added 14 and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk chipped in 10. But Illawarra’s defensive intensity — the hallmark of their championship run — was nowhere to be seen as they slumped to 0–3.

The win gives New Zealand momentum, pride, and much-needed belief. Their perimeter shooting and unselfish play delivered one of the most complete performances of any team this season, turning what had been a frustrating start into a statement of intent.

The Breakers remain at home for Round 4, hosting the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday, while the Hawks head back to Wollongong to face the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday.

Final score: New Zealand Breakers 117 defeated Illawarra Hawks 88.