PJC sinks the Kings in Hamilton

Parker Jackson-Cartwright lit the fuse for the New Zealand Breakers on three quarter-time and then completed the deal in the 95-90 win over the Sydney Kings in Hamilton that just about locks them into the Ignite Cup decider.

The Kings were leading by as much as 10 points in the third quarter as the NBL season resumed with the Ignite Cup by Disney+ clash at Hamilton's Claudelands Arena, but Jackson-Cartwright turned it on for the home team.

He hit a huge three just inside half-court on three quarter-time to bring the Breakers back within six and then in the last minute hit the game clinching three not only to win the game for New Zealand, but to put them in prime position for the Ignite Cup grand final.

In that last minute, with New Zealand up by one and the shot-clock winding down, Jackson-Cartwright successfully launched his dagger from just inside the logo.

On the next possession, Breakers import Izaiah Brockington stole Kendric Davis's inbounds pass and flew for a dunk to seal consecutive wins for New Zealand as they improve to 6-10 on the season to be knocking on the door of sixth spot.

Next Star Karim Lopez had an especially important first half and finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists with Jackson-Cartwright battling foul trouble.

New Zealand were also without Izayah Le'Afa and with his replacement Tai Webster not yet available so it was Sean Bairstow called on to play as back up point guard and he had an important two-point, three-rebound, two-assist 20-minute showing.

It was Jackson-Cartwright the star of the show, though, with 21 of his 24 points coming after half-time including making 6/8 from behind the three-point arc.

Rob Loe played a crucial role too with the Breakers +14 in the 14 minutes from the veteran back-up centre.

For the Kings, without guards Matthew Dellavedova (illness) and Shaun Bruce (calf), Davis paired 18 points with 11 assists, but shot a wayward 5/17 from the field and was again asked to play 36 minutes in the absence of Bruce and Dellavedova.

Jaylin Galloway also had 16 points and five rebounds for Sydney, Bul Kuol 15 points and six boards, and Xavier Cooks 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Sydney led 24-14 early before New Zealand hit back, reducing the margin to 27-26 at quarter-time, before the Breakers largely bossed the second stanza.

Lopez, projected to be an NBA lottery pick and with Charlotte Hornets scouts in the audience, led the Breakers rally.

The 18-year-old fed Rob Baker II for a reverse dunk, followed it with a tip-jam of his own and a strong drive, then swatted Davis's lay-up.

The Breakers coughed up the ball 11 times in the first half, but their 20/33 clip from the floor saw them move ahead 49-47 at the main break.

The turnovers continued to mount as the home side fell behind by nine in the third, before Jackson-Cartwright hit a prayer from just inside half-court on the three quarter-time buzzer to reduce the Kings' cushion to 74-68.

Jackson-Cartwright continued to thrive at the start of the fourth, before finishing Sydney off in style.

The Breakers are now back to Auckland's Spark Arena for the first time in over a month to host the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday in what is their last home game until early January.

The Kings won't play again until next Friday night on the road to the Perth Wildcats.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – IGNITE CUP PRESENTED BY DISNEY+

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 95 (Jackson-Cartwright 24, Lopez 18, Brockington 17)

SYDNEY KINGS 90 (Davis 18, Galloway 16, Kuol 15)

BOX SCORE