Age is just his numbers for SEM guard Nathan Sobey

• Phoenix control game for over 31 minutes at home.
• Sobey drills seven threes on high-volume shooting.
• Phoenix win key middle quarters to break contest open.
• Breakers struggle from deep, shooting just 20.8 percent.

Nathan Sobey delivered a captain’s performance to lead South East Melbourne Phoenix to a strong 92–80 home win over the New Zealand Breakers, producing one of the most dominant individual outings of the NBL season.

The 35-year-old Sobey was electric from start to finish, pouring in 36 points on 12-of-22 shooting, knocking down 7-of-16 from three, and going a perfect 5-of-5 at the free-throw line. He added 7 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal, finishing with a game-high +22 plus-minus as the Phoenix controlled the contest for more than 31 minutes of game time.

After a tight opening quarter, South East Melbourne’s offense surged behind Sobey’s shot-making and perimeter pressure. He repeatedly punished the Breakers’ coverages off the dribble and in transition, stretching the defence and opening space for teammates as the Phoenix built separation through the middle quarters. A 27-point third term proved decisive, pushing the lead into double figures and swinging momentum firmly the home side’s way.

Jordan Hunter provided solid interior support with 12 points and 9 rebounds, while John Brown III impacted the game defensively with 3 blocks and a team-best efficiency of 17. Hunter Maldonado added balance with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in limited minutes.

New Zealand battled behind 16 points each from Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Rob Baker II, but struggled to contain Sobey’s scoring bursts and were outgunned from the perimeter. The Breakers shot just 20.8% from three and spent much of the night chasing the scoreboard, leading for less than five minutes overall.

In a game featuring 19 lead changes early, Sobey’s shot-making and control in big moments ultimately broke the contest open, steering the Phoenix to a confident 12-point victory.

The Phoenix solidified third place at 11-6 while the Breakers two-game win streak came to an end. The Breakers are now 7-11 and seventh.

Key Details

• Result: South East Melbourne Phoenix 92 def. New Zealand Breakers 80
• When: Friday, 13th December 2025
• Where: Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, Gippsland
• Attendance: 2,581
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Nathan Sobey (Phoenix) starred with 36 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes.
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (Breakers) scored 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes.

What Happened

The Phoenix established early control with a solid 26-20 first quarter advantage before extending their lead through a dominant second period. Phoenix maintained their momentum throughout the contest, leading by as many as 17 points and never allowing the Breakers to mount a sustained comeback. The home side's balanced scoring attack and superior three-point shooting proved decisive in securing the comfortable victory.

Nathan Sobey's masterful performance was the defining factor in Phoenix's triumph. The captain went 12-from-22 from the field, including an outstanding seven triples from 16 attempts beyond the arc. His perfect 5-from-5 performance from the charity stripe demonstrated his clutch ability when the Breakers applied pressure. Sobey's plus-22 rating highlighted his impact on both ends of the court throughout his 34 minutes of action.

The Phoenix's offensive efficiency was built around their exceptional three-point shooting, connecting on 14-from-41 attempts (34%) compared to the Breakers' disappointing 5-from-24 (21%) from downtown. Hunter Maldonado provided valuable support with 10 points on perfect 2-from-2 three-point shooting, while Jordan Hunter added 12 points despite an inefficient 4-from-11 shooting performance. John Brown III contributed 10 points and five assists while recording a team-high plus-23 rating.

For the Breakers, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Rob Baker II shared scoring honours with 16 points each, but their combined efforts couldn't overcome the Phoenix's balanced attack. Jackson-Cartwright struggled with his shooting efficiency, going 7-from-19 from the field, while Baker II was more efficient at 5-from-10. The Breakers dominated the boards with a 54-42 rebounding advantage, led by Jackson-Cartwright's nine boards, but couldn't convert this dominance into enough scoring opportunities.

The Phoenix shot an efficient 45% from the field (33-from-74) compared to the Breakers' poor 38% (30-from-80). Phoenix's superior ball movement resulted in 22 assists compared to the Breakers' 16 dimes, while both teams struggled with turnovers - Phoenix with nine and the Breakers with 11. The defensive effort from Phoenix was highlighted by eight steals and eight blocks, effectively disrupting the Breakers' offensive rhythm throughout the contest.