Breakers must find a way without MVP-level star

Parker Jackson-Cartwright was in MVP-level form before suffering an injury. He’s simply impossible to replace.

Through the first 5 games, Jackson-Cartwright averaged 26.6 points and 9.4 assists, including a 30-point night against Tasmania and a 13-assist opener, as New Zealand went 3-2.

But the injury soon took its toll, both when he was sidelined and when he tried to play through it. New Zealand went 1-2 without Jackson-Cartwright, then lost all four games after his return.

Rather than dwell on the team’s bad luck, Breakers coach Gordie Herbert said the group had a simple choice.

“Injuries are part of the game. You’re going to face adversity at different times of the season. It depends how you deal with it,” Herbert said. “We can feel sorry for ourselves, or we can use this to get better.”

That task is made harder by just how much Jackson-Cartwright has meant to New Zealand.

“You’ve got to give him credit,” Herbert said. “He came back and tried to play with load management and minutes restrictions, and really sacrificed himself. When you watched him play the last couple of games, you knew something wasn’t right.

“He’s a foundation piece and has been for this club for three to four years. You don’t replace him as a player. You don’t replace him as a person.”

Much of the burden now falls on Sam Mennenga, who is already producing a career-best season at 23.3 points and 8.9 rebounds a game.

The numbers show what happens when he becomes the first option. In the nine games Jackson-Cartwright played this season, Mennenga averaged 19.7 points and 7.2 rebounds. In the three games without him, those numbers jumped to 34.3 points and 14.0 rebounds, highlighted by a 40-point, 18-rebound performance.

“Sam’s an outstanding professional. First one to the gym in the morning, last one to leave,” Herbert said. “We’re asking a lot of him right now, asking him to play 37, 38 minutes a game. But it’s tough to take him off the floor.”

Breakers President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher also highlighted Carlin Davison as one of the players to step up in Jackson-Cartwright’s absence.

Davison averaged 6.8 points and 1.4 assists in 18 minutes across the first five games. Over the past seven games, those numbers have jumped to 11.4 points and 10.3 assists in 27 minutes. That run includes four double-doubles, the best of them a 20-point, 14-assist game in the Breakers’ most recent win.

Herbert’s squad is stretched thin, but he won’t be rushing import Josiah Jordan back from his hamstring injury to ease the load.

“We won’t accelerate it and put him on the floor. He’ll come on the floor when he’s ready to play,” Herbert said.

The news is a little better for big man Charles Bediako, who will be a game-day decision due to a back injury.

Jackson-Cartwright, meanwhile, has told the club he wants to stay in New Zealand while he considers his rehab options, which could include treatment in the US.

“He wanted to be here around the group and help push them to be successful,” Boucher said, adding that Jackson-Cartwright is “100 per cent” part of the Breakers’ future.

Friday’s Round 9 clash between the Breakers and Bullets tips off at 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.