$400k stakes spark heat in Ignite Cup race

With just 11 games remaining, the first-ever Hungry Jack's NBL Ignite Cup, presented by Disney+, is getting towards the pointy end.

And with every team still in contention for a spot in February 22's Final on the Gold Coast, and a record $400,000 prize money up for grabs, the in-season tournament has been a huge success.

>> IGNITE CUP: WHERE IT STANDS

One star that agrees is three-time NBL champion Casey Prather, who will miss the remainder of the Brisbane Bullets' NBL26 campaign with a knee injury.

"Anytime you put some money on the line, teams start to really showcase who they really want to be," Prather said on Wednesday's NBL Now.

"Look at a team like New Zealand, who for the most part of the league standings, has been at the bottom. But now that you put a little money on it, things change.

"Every possession matters at that point. You look at teams who are down by 30 going into the fourth quarter and their starters are still playing the game, because, not only are they competitive, but they want that piece of that money."

The next of those 11 games tips off on Wednesday night when ladder-leaders New Zealand host Sydney in Hamilton, with Prather looking forward to the contest.

"New Zealand right now, they're looking impressive. Every time you can say that money is on the line, those guys come out hungry and they look like a totally different team. So I wouldn't be shocked if New Zealand is in that finals," Prather said.

"[To do so, they'll have to overcome Sydney] who are a team that's pretty exciting to watch. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up top three at the finish of the league.

"[In particular] Xavier Cooks is the key to that Sydney team. If he is involved and he's playing confident and he's doing all the things that Xavier Cooks can do, that Sydney team is very dangerous."

As well as the former NBL23 MVP, Prather earmarked the point guard battle, between Sydney's Kendric Davis and New Zealand's Parker Jackson-Cartwright, as must-watch.

"You got a guy like Kendric who's just a phenomenal scorer, PJC is too his own right," Prather said.

"Anytime PJC can get into the paint to find his other teammates and get everybody else involved, he's just so much more dangerous and so much valuable."

"Two snakes of the team going right at it, so whoever can cut the head off first, will win that."

Wednesday's fixture tips off at 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.