2025–26 New Zealand Breakers season

2025–26 New Zealand Breakers season
Head coach Petteri Koponen
Captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright
ArenaSpark Arena
NBL results
Record13–20 (39.4%)
Ladder7th
Finals finishDid not qualify
Stats at NBL.com.au
Ignite Cup results
Record3–1 (75%)
Ladder2nd
Ignite Cup finishChampions (1st title)
(Defeated 36ers 111–107)
All statistics correct as of 22 February 2026.

The 2025–26 New Zealand Breakers season was the 23rd season of the franchise in the National Basketball League (NBL), and their second under the leadership of head coach Petteri Koponen.[1]

Roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

New Zealand Breakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt.
G 0 McNaught, Alex (DP) 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 90 kg (198 lb)
G/F 1 López, Karim (NS) 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
G/F 2 Bairstow, Sean 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 93 kg (205 lb)
F/C 3 Mennenga, Sam 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 109 kg (240 lb)
G 4 Le'afa, Izayah  1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 90 kg (198 lb)
G 5 Britt, Taylor 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 77 kg (170 lb)
G 6 Jackson-Cartwright, Parker (I & C) 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 74 kg (163 lb)
G/F 7 Te Rangi, Reuben 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 105 kg (231 lb)
G 8 Brockington, Izaiah (I) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 86 kg (190 lb)
F/C 9 Baker, Robert  (I) 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 95 kg (209 lb)
F 12 Darling, Max 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 118 kg (260 lb)
F/C 15 Loe, Robert 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 115 kg (254 lb)
C 20 Andrew, Jack (DP) 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 115 kg (254 lb)
F 21 Davison, Carlin 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 96 kg (212 lb)
G 34 Cooper, Tukaha (DP) 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 67 Judd, Liam (DP) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
G 90 Webster, Tai (IRP) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 89 kg (196 lb)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Mario Dugandzic
  • Judd Flavell
  • Matt Lacey
Strength & conditioning coach(es)
  • Shane Connolly
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • (SRP) Special restricted player
  • (NS) Next Star player
  • Injured
Updated: 22 February 2026

Depth chart

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Development Injured
PG Parker Jackson-Cartwright (I) Taylor Britt Alex McNaught (DP)
SG Izaiah Brockington (I) Tai Webster (IRP) Tukaha Cooper (DP) Izayah Le'afa
SF Karim López (NS) Sean Bairstow Carlin Davison Liam Judd (DP)
PF Reuben Te Rangi Max Darling Robert Baker (I)
C Robert Loe Jack Andrew (DP) Sam Mennenga

Standings

Ladder

Pos 2025–26 NBL season
Team Pld W L PCT Last 5 Streak Home Away PF PA PP
1 Sydney Kings 33 24 9 72.73% 5–0 W11 13–4 11–5 3276 2879 113.79%
2 Adelaide 36ers 33 23 10 69.70% 2–3 L1 12–5 11–5 3042 2890 105.26%
3 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 33 22 11 66.67% 3–2 L1 11–5 11–6 3324 3061 108.59%
4 Perth Wildcats 33 21 12 63.64% 4–1 W1 10–7 11–5 2996 2840 105.49%
5 Melbourne United 33 20 13 60.61% 2–3 W1 11–6 9–7 3041 2905 104.68%
6 Tasmania JackJumpers 33 14 19 42.42% 2–3 L2 6–10 8–9 2873 2884 99.62%
7 New Zealand Breakers 33 13 20 39.39% 2–3 W1 7–9 6–11 3022 3058 98.82%
8 Illawarra Hawks 33 13 20 39.39% 3–2 W2 7–9 6–11 3074 3205 95.91%
9 Cairns Taipans 33 9 24 27.27% 1–4 L2 4–13 5–11 2754 3194 86.22%
10 Brisbane Bullets 33 6 27 18.18% 0–5 L13 2–14 4–13 2710 3196 84.79%

Updated to match(es) played on 20 February 2026. Source: NBL.com.au

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the overall points percentage will determine order of seeding.

Ladder progression

Leader and qualification to semifinals
Qualification to semifinals
Qualification to play-in
Last place
2025–26 NBL season
Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
Adelaide 36ers—212233322111111111122
Brisbane Bullets37897777889999910101010101010
Cairns Taipans7477810910101010101010109999999
Illawarra Hawks—99810810879888878878888
Melbourne United2121111111223234444555
New Zealand Breakers6101010998997677787787777
Perth Wildcats5643655554455555555444
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix1564322233332422223333
Sydney Kings—856564445544343332211
Tasmania JackJumpers4335446666766666666666
Updated to match(es) played on 20 February 2026. Source: NBL.com.au

Game log

Pre-season

Main article: 2025 NBL pre-season

The 2025 NBL Blitz will run from 27 to 31 August 2025 with games being played at the AIS Arena, Canberra.[2][3]

2025 NBL Blitz game log
Total: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
August: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 29 August @ S.E. Melbourne W 101–109 Izaiah Brockington (22) Izaiah Brockington (13) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5) AIS Arena
n/a 		1–0
2 31 August Cairns W 94–75 Reuben Te Rangi (20) Reuben Te Rangi (6) Izayah Le'afa (7) AIS Arena
n/a 		2–0

Regular season

Main article: 2025–26 NBL regular season

The regular season will begin on 18 September 2025.[4] It will consist of 165 games (33 games each) spread across 22 rounds, with the final game being played on 20 February 2026.[5]

2025–26 game log
Total: 13–20 (Home: 7–9; Road: 6–11)
September: 0–3 (Home: 0–2; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 19 September Brisbane L 95–104 Brockington, Jackson-Cartwright (16) Sam Mennenga (8) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (12) Spark Arena
4,443 		0–1
2 21 September @ Melbourne L 114–82 Izaiah Brockington (21) López, Brockington (6) Davison, Jackson-Cartwright (4) John Cain Arena
9,101 		0–2
3 27 September Perth L 78–89 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (18) López, Mennenga (7) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5) Spark Arena
4,047 		0–3
October: 3–4 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
4 4 October @ Sydney L 97–75 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (16) Sam Mennenga (12) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5) Sydney SuperDome
10,798 		0–4
5 8 October Illawarra W 117–88 Jackson-Cartwright, Mennenga (20) Karim López (9) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (17) Spark Arena
3,101 		1–4
6 12 October S.E. Melbourne L 81–87 Sam Mennenga (29) Sam Mennenga (11) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (9) Spark Arena
4,520 		1–5
7 17 October Tasmania W 82–65 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (21) Sam Mennenga (8) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (6) Spark Arena
3,212 		2–5
8 19 October @ Melbourne L 104–88 Izaiah Brockington (25) Jackson-Cartwright, López (9) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (9) John Cain Arena
8,092 		2–6
9 23 October Brisbane L 83–84 Sam Mennenga (27) four players (6) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5) Eventfinda Stadium
2,841 		2–7
10 31 October @ Illawarra W 60–102 Sam Mennenga (21) Sam Mennenga (11) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (6) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
4,080 		3–7
November: 2–3 (Home: 0–1; Road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
11 6 November Adelaide L 79–83 Izaiah Brockington (25) Robert Baker (9) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (10) Wolfbrook Arena
3,859 		3–8
12 9 November @ Sydney L 79–72 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (23) Brockington, López (8) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (7) Sydney SuperDome
10,067 		3–9
13 12 November @ Brisbane W 84–113 Sam Mennenga (25) Robert Baker (11) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (7) Gold Coast Sports Centre
2,275 		4–9
14 15 November @ Perth L 88–75 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (22) Karim López (10) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (9) Perth Arena
12,350 		4–10
15 22 November @ Cairns W 96–102 Brockington, Mennenga (22) Izaiah Brockington (11) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (6) Cairns Convention Centre
3,989 		5–10
December: 3–3 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
16 3 December Sydney W 95–90 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (24) López, Mennenga (6) Izaiah Brockington (5) Claudelands Arena
2,770 		6–10
17 6 December Tasmania W 99–86 Izaiah Brockington (22) Baker, Mennenga (9) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (12) Spark Arena
3,638 		7–10
18 13 December @ S.E. Melbourne L 92–80 Baker, Jackson-Cartwright (16) Jackson-Cartwright, Mennenga (9) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (6) Gippsland Indoor Stadium
2,581 		7–11
19 19 December @ Cairns L 99–95 Sam Mennenga (24) Sam Mennenga (8) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (11) Cairns Convention Centre
3,749 		7–12
20 22 December @ Brisbane L 99–85 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (26) Carlin Davison (7) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (4) Brisbane Entertainment Centre
4,538 		7–13
21 26 December @ Tasmania W 80–81 (OT) Sam Mennenga (20) Jackson-Cartwright, Mennenga (7) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (10) Derwent Entertainment Centre
4,340 		8–13
January: 3–4 (Home: 1–3; Road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
22 4 January Perth L 91–99 Sam Mennenga (19) Jackson-Cartwright, López (7) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (7) Spark Arena
5,141 		8–14
23 9 January Sydney L 62–103 Karim López (11) Sam Mennenga (6) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (3) Spark Arena
3,229 		8–15
24 11 January @ Illawarra W 96–101 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (23) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (7) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (8) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
5,323 		9–15
25 17 January @ Cairns W 86–104 Sam Mennenga (28) Karim López (11) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (10) Perth Arena
7,034 		10–15
26 21 January @ S.E. Melbourne L 123–116 Sam Mennenga (28) Karim López (8) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (9) State Basketball Centre
3,422 		10–16
27 23 January Adelaide L 110–112 (OT) three players (21) Sam Mennenga (12) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (10) Spark Arena
3,866 		10–17
28 30 January Melbourne W 97–95 Karim López (32) Karim López (8) three players (3) Spark Arena
4,917 		11–17
February: 2–3 (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 1 February @ Tasmania L 91–89 Izaiah Brockington (24) Brockington, Jackson-Cartwright (7) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5) Derwent Entertainment Centre
4,340 		11–18
30 5 February S.E. Melbourne L 83–114 Izaiah Brockington (19) Tai Webster (8) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5) Eventfinda Stadium
1,703 		11–19
31 7 February Illawarra W 106–95 Izaiah Brockington (27) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (8) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (6) Spark Arena
2,750 		12–19
32 14 February @ Adelaide L 92–89 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (25) Sean Bairstow (8) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (7) Adelaide Entertainment Centre
10,044 		12–20
33 19 February Cairns W 115–84 Sam Mennenga (32) Carlin Davison (11) Parker Jackson-Cartwright (13) Eventfinda Stadium
1,791 		13–20
Cup 22 February @ Adelaide W 107–111 Parker Jackson-Cartwright (29) López, Te Rangi (8) López, Jackson-Cartwright (5) Gold Coast Convention Centre
TBA 		–
2025–26 season schedule

NBL Ignite Cup

Main article: 2025–26 NBL Ignite Cup

The NBL introduced the new NBL Ignite Cup tournament for the 2025–26 season, with all games except the championship final counting towards the regular-season standings.[6][7]

Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PP BP Pts Qualification
1 Adelaide 36ers 4 3 1 390 329 118.5 12 21 Ignite Cup final
2 New Zealand Breakers 4 3 1 441 385 114.5 11 20
3 Perth Wildcats 4 3 1 399 365 109.3 9.5 18.5
4 Melbourne United 4 2 2 390 359 108.6 9.5 15.5
5 Tasmania JackJumpers 4 2 2 349 338 103.3 8.5 14.5
6 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 4 2 2 408 402 101.5 8 14
7 Illawarra Hawks 4 2 2 372 397 93.7 7 13
8 Brisbane Bullets 4 1 3 334 411 81.3 6 9
9 Sydney Kings 4 1 3 350 381 91.9 5 8
10 Cairns Taipans 4 1 3 340 406 83.7 3.5 6.5
Updated to match(es) played on 28 January 2026. Source: Ignitecup.com.au


Transactions

Free agency began on 4 April 2025.[8][9]

Re-signed

Player Date Signed Contract Ref.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright 23 June 2025 2-year deal [10]

Additions

Player Date Signed Contract Former team Ref.
Reuben Te Rangi 8 April 2025 2-year deal Tasmania JackJumpers [11]
Izayah Le'afa 10 April 2025 2-year deal Sydney Kings [12]
Taylor Britt 14 April 2025 2-year deal (club option) Canterbury Rams [13]
Robert Loe 15 April 2025 1-year deal Melbourne United [14]
Izaiah Brockington 28 July 2025 1-year deal Vancouver Bandits [15]

Subtractions

Player Reason left Date Left New Team Ref.
Mitch McCarron Retired 15 May 2025 n/a [16]
Tacko Fall Released 22 July 2025 Nanjing Monkey Kings [17]

Awards

Club awards

See also

References

  1. ^ "Breakers make coach call". NBL.com.au. 7 April 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Blitz heads to Canberra". NBL.com.au. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Canberra back on NBL agenda with hosting of Blitz". CanberraTimes.com.au. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  4. ^ Uluc, Olgun (20 June 2025). "Storylines everywhere as NBL releases schedule for 2025-26 season". ESPN Australia. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  5. ^ Jackson, Andrew (20 June 2025). "'Personal' rivalries as 'hurt' US star, five-time MVP face former teams: NBL and WNBL Schedule". Fox Sports. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  6. ^ Uluc, Olgun (7 October 2025). "NBL Ignite Cup: Everything you need to know". ESPN Australia. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  7. ^ Shadlow, Jai (7 October 2025). "'All roads lead to Gold Coast': In-season tournament reveal adds to NBL expansion rumblings". Fox Sports. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Free agency begins April 4". NBL.com.au. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  9. ^ "NBL26 Roster Tracker: Every signing, extension and departure". NBL.com.au. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Parker Jackson-Cartwright returns to New Zealand Breakers". ESPN Australia. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Home is where the heart is: Te Rangi back to NZ". NBL.com.au. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Former Breaker returns home". NBL.com.au. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  13. ^ "BNZ Breakers sign Guard Taylor Britt to two-year deal". NZBreakers.basketball. 14 April 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Breakers bolster local core". NBL.com.au. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Breakers sign former G League star". NBL.com.au. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  16. ^ Uluc, Olgun (15 May 2025). "'I'm so lucky': McCarron retires from pro basketball". ESPN Australia. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  17. ^ "NZ Breakers release import Tacko Fall". nzsportswire.com. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
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