Return of the D-Mac! Bullets snap losing streak

• The Brisbane Bullets defeated the NZ Breakers 99-85 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre
• It was Brisbane's first win since an 83-81 victory over Tasmania on November 8
• Interim coach Darryl McDonald belies the team is still a chance of making playoffs

NBL legend Darryl 'D-Mac' McDonald appears to have already put his touch on the Brisbane Bullets after a completely different team turned up to snap a seven-game losing streak with a 99-85 win over the New Zealand Breakers at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Big man Tyrell Harrison led the way for the Bullets with an impressive 22-point, 11-rebound double-double to steer Brisbane to its first victory since November 8 (83-81 over Tasmania) and first since the franchise parted ways with former head coach Stu Lash and appointed McDonald as the interim.

It's the third time the three-time NBL champion has been an interim coach in his career, who was adamant the team still could feature in the playoffs this season despite a 6-14 record and injuries to Casey Prather, Dakota Mathias and Sam McDaniel among others.

"We still think we're a chance of making playoffs," McDonald said to Ariana Prather post-game.

"(I'm) pretty happy... we had lost seven straight or whatever it was so just getting a win takes a load off."

McDonald said he was pleased with how the team executed offensively after scoring 99 points.

"We couldn't score (before this game)," he said.

Key Details

• Result: Brisbane Bullets 99 def. New Zealand Breakers 85
• When: Monday, December 22, 2025
• Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
• Standings: Brisbane Bullets standings | New Zealand Breakers standings

By the Numbers

• Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane Bullets) starred with 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks in 28 minutes.
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) scored 26 points, and had four rebounds, four assists, two steals in 30 minutes.

What Happened

The Bullets established early dominance and never relinquished control, leading for over 39 minutes of the contest. Brisbane opened with a solid 26-20 first quarter advantage before extending their margin with a commanding 30-21 second period to take a 56-41 half-time lead.

The Breakers managed to match Brisbane's output in the third quarter 23-22, but the damage was already done as the hosts maintained their comfortable buffer heading into the final period.

Brisbane's balanced offensive attack proved too much for New Zealand to handle throughout the evening. The Bullets shot an outstanding 53.73% from the field, connecting on 36-from-67 attempts, while also displaying solid accuracy from downtown with 11-from-27 three-pointers at 40.74%. In stark contrast, the Breakers struggled offensively, managing just 41.33% from the field and a dismal 22.22% from beyond the arc, connecting on only six triples from 27 attempts.

Tyrell Harrison delivered a masterful performance in the paint for Brisbane, shooting an exceptional 10-from-13 from the field for 76.92% accuracy while dominating the boards with 11 rebounds.

His presence in the key was instrumental in the Bullets' control of the interior, combining with Terry Taylor's 14 points and six rebounds to give Brisbane a significant frontcourt advantage. Alex Ducas contributed 18 points including four three-pointers, while Javon Freeman-Liberty added 15 points with seven assists and 11 rebounds for an impressive all-around display.

Despite Parker Jackson-Cartwright's valiant 26-point effort on efficient 10-from-17 shooting including 4-from-6 from deep, the Breakers couldn't generate enough offensive support.

Izaiah Brockington chipped in with 18 points, but no other New Zealand player reached double digits. The Breakers' struggles were compounded by their poor three-point shooting, with the team managing just six triples compared to Brisbane's 11, creating a 15-point differential from beyond the arc alone.

The victory showcased Brisbane's superior depth and shooting ability as they controlled the tempo throughout. The Bullets' defensive pressure forced New Zealand into difficult shots, evidenced by the visitors' poor field goal percentage and limited offensive flow. Brisbane's ability to maintain their lead despite New Zealand's brief third-quarter resistance demonstrated their maturity and composure in securing the comprehensive 14-point victory.