Phoenix take advantage of wounded Breakers

The South East Melbourne Phoenix have set up their top two battle on Sunday with the Sydney Kings by taking full advantage of the New Zealand Breakers who saw their front court further decimated with the 114-83 win.

The Breakers did an admirable job sticking with the Phoenix on Thursday night at Eventfinda Stadium (formerly the North Shore Events Centre) but eventually they couldn’t go with the fastest pace team in the NBL.

Next Star Karim Lopez joined fellow front court Breakers players Sam Mennenga and Rob Baker II sidelined and the Phoenix overpowered them with 62 points to 31 in the second half on the way to the 31-point win.

The frustrations of the Breakers spilled over as they slipped further from sixth position with Parker Jackson-Cartwright earning two quick technical fouls after a no call with six minutes to go forcing him into an early shower.

It was an important result for the Phoenix as they move back into second position for now with a 21-9 record as they look ahead to hosting the 20-9 Sydney Kings on Sunday.

Despite missing their three key front court players against a team going as deep as the Phoenix, it was an admirable job from the Breakers in the first half including 20-17 by the end of one.

The pace went up from both teams in the second quarter with a combined 67 points with South East Melbourne scoring 35 to the 32 from New Zealand with scores all tied up at 52-52 going into the break.

It was the Phoenix better placed to keep up that pace the rest of the game and they were able to dominate the second half with 34 points to 15 in the third period, and 28 to 16 in the fourth.

South East Melbourne’s defence also forced New Zealand into 14 second half turnovers with a 62-31 second half with six players ending up scoring in double figures.

Ian Clark delivered 23 points while Nathan Sobey had 21 with Malique Lewis having his best performance since returning from injury with 13 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.

DJ Mitchell helped get them going in the second quarter and had 12 points and seven rebounds with Wes Iwundu contributing 11 points and three boards, and Jordan Hunter 10 points and 10 rebounds.

New Zealand are now 11-19 on the season and with the likelihood of continuing to miss Lopez, Mennenga and Baker II, it’s going to be mighty tough to chase down the sixth placed Tasmania JackJumpers (13-17).

Izaiah Brockington had another 19 points with three rebounds, Tai Webster 16 points and eight boards, and before he was ejected in the fourth quarter, Jackson-Cartwright 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Both teams back up to play again this round with the Breakers back at Spark Arena to host the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday while the Phoenix make their return to John Cain Arena on Sunday in a monstrous clash for second place with the Sydney Kings.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – ROUND 20

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 83 (Brockington 19, Webster 16, Jackson-Cartwright 15)

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 114 (Clark 23, Sobey 21, Lewis 13)

BOX SCORE