The New Zealand Breakers weathered a valiant comeback attempt from the depleted Perth Wildcats to secure a hard-fought 89-85 victory in front of their home fans at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday night. The Breakers, still battling fatigue from their recent NBLxNBA tour in the United States, caught fire from beyond the arc, draining 16 three-pointers to keep the persistent Wildcats at bay.
Cotton’s Early Exit Shifts Momentum
The Wildcats suffered a massive blow early in the contest when their superstar guard and four-time MVP Bryce Cotton was forced to leave the game with a suspected fractured rib. Cotton appeared to take a knock to his ribs within the first minute of play but initially tried to play through the pain. However, after extending himself, he crumpled to the sideline in agony and was promptly rushed to the locker room for evaluation before being taken to the hospital.
Breakers Catch Fire from Deep
With Cotton out, the Breakers seized the opportunity to build a lead, thanks largely to their scorching shooting from beyond the arc. Matt Mooney led the charge, connecting on 7 of his 10 three-point attempts en route to a game-high 28 points. Mooney also contributed five assists, four rebounds, and two steals in a stellar all-around performance.
Joining Mooney in the three-point barrage was Max Darling, who knocked down the first four long-range shots of his NBL career, finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. The Breakers’ hot shooting helped them establish a 14-point lead early in the second quarter and a 12-point advantage heading into the final period.
We knew we had to step up with Bryce going down. Everyone contributed and hit big shots when we needed them most.
Matt Mooney, New Zealand Breakers guard
Wildcats Refuse to Go Quietly
Despite the significant deficit and the absence of their top scorer, the Wildcats demonstrated their trademark resilience, chipping away at the Breakers’ lead throughout the second half. Tai Webster shouldered the scoring load for Perth, finishing with a team-high 20 points and adding six rebounds and six assists.
Kristian Doolittle provided a spark off the bench for the Wildcats, contributing 15 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, while Ben Henshall added 13 points and five boards. Despite their efforts, the Wildcats struggled to match the Breakers’ efficiency from long range, converting just 7 of their 25 three-point attempts.
Jackson-Cartwright’s All-Around Impact
While Breakers’ guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright had a rough shooting night, going 5-for-21 from the field, he still managed to make a significant impact on the game. Jackson-Cartwright dished out nine assists, snagged five steals, and grabbed three rebounds, showcasing his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game even when his shot isn’t falling.
Parker’s a competitor. Even if he’s not scoring, he finds ways to help the team win. That’s what great players do.
A New Zealand Breakers teammate
Breakers Hold On in Tense Finish
The Wildcats made one final push in the closing minutes, trimming the Breakers’ lead to just two points. However, the home team maintained their composure, executing down the stretch and sinking crucial free throws to seal the victory.
The win moves the Breakers to a 2-1 record on the young NBL season, while the Wildcats fall to 1-1. Both teams will now await further updates on the severity of Cotton’s injury, which could have significant implications for Perth moving forward.
In a league as competitive as the NBL, every win matters, and the Breakers will undoubtedly take confidence from this hard-fought victory over a perennial contender in the Wildcats. As they continue to gel as a unit and ride the hot hand of players like Mooney and Darling, the Breakers will look to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the 2023-24 NBL campaign.
