Phoenix punish turnovers to stun Breakers in Auckland

• Phoenix claim 87–81 win over Breakers in Auckland AS Owen Foxwell leads with 19 points and seven assists
• Breakers commit 21 costly turnovers despite 44% shooting and Sam Mennenga’s 29-point double-double
• Phoenix record first-ever win at Spark Arena

Brutal. New Zealand Breakers had 21 coach-killing turnovers in a disappointing seven-point round 4 NBL26 loss to the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The Phoenix won their first game in Spark Arena, New Zealand, 87-81.

Owen Foxwell's 19-point performance led a second-half comeback after the Breakers dominated the second quarter.

Key Details

• Result: South East Melbourne Phoenix 87 def. New Zealand Breakers 81
• When: Sunday, 12th October 2025
• Where: Spark Arena, Auckland
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Owen Foxwell (South East Melbourne Phoenix) starred with 19 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in 26 minutes.
• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand Breakers) scored 29 points, had 11 rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 30 minutes.

What Happened

The Phoenix established early control, taking a 21-15 lead after the first quarter behind Foxwell's efficient shooting and playmaking. However, the Breakers roared back in the second period, outscoring South East Melbourne 31-13 to take a commanding 46-34 halftime advantage.

New Zealand's second-quarter surge was fuelled by Mennenga's dominant interior presence, as the forward connected on eight of his first nine attempts from the field. His 11 rebounds (four offensive) gave the Breakers crucial second-chance opportunities throughout the contest.

The momentum shifted dramatically after halftime as Phoenix coach Mike Kelly made critical adjustments. South East Melbourne turned up their defensive intensity, forcing seven Breakers turnovers in the third quarter alone. Foxwell caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting three triples during a pivotal 28-19 third quarter that cut the deficit to just three points heading into the final frame.

South East Melbourne completed their comeback in the fourth quarter, outscoring New Zealand 25-16 to secure the six-point victory. Nathan Sobey delivered in clutch moments, scoring eight of his 18 points in the final period while adding seven assists for the game. The Phoenix's ball movement proved decisive, as they recorded 26 assists on 33 made field goals.

The Breakers were ultimately undone by their carelessness with the basketball, committing 21 turnovers to Phoenix's nine. Despite shooting a more efficient 44.4 percent from the field compared to South East Melbourne's 39.8 percent, New Zealand couldn't overcome their miscues. Parker Jackson-Cartwright struggled with six turnovers despite dishing nine assists, while Phoenix capitalised on these errors with a 19-11 advantage in points off turnovers.