Key Highlights
- New Zealand Breakers star Parker Jackson-Cartwright speaks on the team’s early season struggles.
- The Breakers are currently in ninth place with a 3-9 record as NBL26 enters Round 9.
- Jackson-Cartwright emphasizes the need to play for the full 40 minutes, citing the quality of teams and coaches in the league.
- The team aims to end late-game fades after recent losses against Adelaide and Sydney.
Breakers’ Early Season Struggles
New Zealand Breakers star Parker Jackson-Cartwright acknowledges that his team faces a tough challenge as they start the 2025-26 NBL season. Despite sitting in ninth place with a modest 3-9 record, Jackson-Cartwright remains optimistic and believes their journey is far from over.
Regrouping and Resilience
“You can’t get down on how you start,” said Jackson-Cartwright during the NBL Now episode. “It’s a process, and even though it’s not an ideal start for us, the train doesn’t stop moving. So, it’s on us to regroup.”
Late-game Fades: A Common Challenge
The New Zealand Breakers have experienced setbacks in recent matches due to late-game fades. After losing crucial games against Adelaide and Sydney, Jackson-Cartwright highlighted a key point made by Damon Lowery: “If the game was 32 minutes, we would be near the top of the ladder,” he noted.
Lowery’s statement underscores the importance of maintaining focus throughout the entire match. Jackson-Cartwright explained that playing for the full 40 minutes is crucial in a league where talent and coaching are at high levels.
Future Outlook
The New Zealand Breakers face a pivotal game against the Bullets on the Gold Coast, scheduled for Wednesday night. The team’s strategy will be to avoid late-game slumps and ensure consistent performance throughout all 40 minutes of play.
As NBL26 progresses into Round 9, Jackson-Cartwright emphasized that while the Breakers are in a challenging position now, they are confident in their ability to turn things around. “We have understood that we’re right there in terms of getting over the hump,” he said, adding that the key is executing the necessary steps to win games.
The game against the Bullets will be crucial for the Breakers as they aim to bounce back from recent losses and compete at a higher level. Fans can watch the Ignite Cup fixture live on ESPN starting at 7:30pm AEDT.
