'FIBA Breakers': PCJ erupts as NZ edge Kings

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Point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright erupted in the second half, dropping 21 of his game-high 24 points, to lead the New Zealand Breakers to a 95-90 win against the Sydney Kings in the first NBL26 game of Round 11 and post the FIBA break.

"I was just kind of going with the flow of the game," Jackson-Cartwright said.

"First half I got into foul trouble, didn’t force it on offense, and our team was rolling. We were steady. Shawn Bairstow and Karim Lopez especially kept us afloat. In the second half, just picking my spots and being aggressive. That’s how the game goes.

"it just felt like playoff intensity. Especially coming off the break. All these games are super important and they’re going to feel just like that one.

"It felt good to get that one."

Jackson-Cartwright's only bucket in the first half came just before quarter-time on a three-point jumper.

The Breakers moved to 6-10 while the Kings fell to 7-7, missing a golden opportunity to strength their record. A win would have moved them into fourth ahead of the 8-6 Perth Wildcats on points differential.

"Every possession was really physical out there," Breakers head coach Petteri Koponen said.

"First half we had problems with their offensive rebounds and we were turning the ball over.

"We had 11 turnovers in the first half. Second half we were more poised, we didn’t turn the ball over. Last quarter I think we had zero turnovers, gave them one offensive rebound, and that was the game. It comes down to these small details.

"I’m really proud of everybody. Everybody who stepped on the court played with effort. I think our bench was really good today. Shawn Bairstow did a great job.

"Rob Loe was really good, gave good minutes. Great win. Every time you beat Sydney it’s a great result, but we can’t be satisfied. We keep working and we’ve got another game on Saturday.

"And obviously Parker had a little foul trouble in the first half, he was resting, and in the second half he took over and won us the game. Unbelievable performance."

Sydney Kings head coach Brian Goorjian lamented his side's inability to knock down big buckets down the stretch.

"I thought as a group we played pretty good basketball for a lot of the game and got the ball where we wanted it," Goorjian said.

"With the group we’re playing with now there’s a lot of on-ball, a lot of elbow catches. We scored 90 points on the road and didn’t shoot the ball particularly well.

"We got good shots at the end of the game. We got a nice look at the three — missed it. Got an and-one — missed the layup and missed both free throws. We gave ourselves a chance.

"On the defensive end with PJC, the scout was to try to hug and make him shoot overhand. First half he had three points. Second half he ended up 6-for-8 from three and it was his shots at the end of the game that beat us.

"No one in our group is happy. It’s a very important game. We’ve got three more coming on the road. Time to learn lessons and onward."

Key Details

• Result: New Zealand Breakers 95 def. Sydney Kings 90
• When: Tuesday, 3rd December 2025
• Where: Claudelands Arena, Hamilton
• Attendance: 2,770
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) starred with 24 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals in 26 minutes.
• Kendric Davis (Sydney Kings) scored 18 points, and had four rebounds, 11 assists, one steal in 36 minutes.

What Happened

The Breakers established their dominance through exceptional shooting efficiency, converting 35-from-64 attempts from the field for a solid 54.7 percent. Their balanced offensive attack featured four players reaching double digits, with Parker Jackson-Cartwright leading the charge alongside Karim Lopez's 18 points, Izaiah Brockington's 17 points, and Sam Mennenga's 13 points. The Kings struggled offensively, managing just 43.06 percent shooting from the field on 31-from-72 attempts.

Jackson-Cartwright's outstanding performance from beyond the arc proved decisive, as he connected on six-from-eight three-pointers for an exceptional 75 percent accuracy. His efficient 8-from-12 shooting from the field exemplified the Breakers' superior shot selection throughout the contest. Lopez complemented this with his own efficient display, going 8-from-12 from the field while contributing six rebounds and four assists.

The Kings' offensive struggles were epitomised by Kendric Davis's disappointing 5-from-17 shooting performance, despite his impressive 11 assists. While Jaylin Galloway added 16 points and Xavier Cooks contributed 14 points with seven rebounds, the Kings couldn't match the Breakers' offensive consistency. Bul Kuol provided a bright spot with 15 points and solid 4-from-6 three-point shooting.

Both teams struggled to control the ball effectively, with the Breakers committing 15 turnovers compared to the Kings' 10. However, New Zealand's superior shooting percentage from deep proved crucial, as they connected on 15-from-34 three-pointers compared to Sydney's 13-from-35 attempts. The Breakers also dominated the paint, out-rebounding the Kings 36-37 in a closely contested battle on the boards.

The victory showcased the Breakers' ability to execute in clutch moments, maintaining their composure throughout a contest that featured 30 lead changes. With this win, New Zealand demonstrated their offensive firepower and defensive resilience at home. The Kings will need to address their shooting woes and find more consistent offensive production from their supporting cast to bounce back from this defeat.