The New Zealand Breakers etched their names into NBL history on Sunday, claiming the inaugural Ignite Cup championship with a hard-fought 111-107 victory over the Adelaide 36ers on the Gold Coast. Fueled by a dominant second-half performance from captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright, the Breakers secured the $300,000 prize and the first-ever Ignite Cup trophy in a thrilling contest at a sold-out Gold Coast Convention Centre.
Jackson-Cartwright, who finished with 29 points and five assists, proved to be the difference-maker, scoring 23 of his points after halftime. The Breakers overcame a determined 36ers squad, led by five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton’s 34 points and nine assists, to secure the win and cap off a successful season. This victory marks the Breakers’ first championship win in the new Ignite Cup format, a mid-season tournament designed to add excitement and stakes to the NBL regular season.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, showcasing the talent and competitive spirit of both teams. Spectacular plays, including a poster dunk by Carlin Davison over both Isaac Humphries and Zylan Cheatham, and an alley-oop from Cheatham, energized the crowd. However, it was the Breakers’ ability to execute in the crucial moments, particularly their 64-point second half, that ultimately propelled them to victory.
The Breakers’ success wasn’t solely reliant on Jackson-Cartwright’s brilliance. Sam Mennenga, returning from a fractured wrist suffered on January 23 against Adelaide, contributed 21 points, four rebounds, and three assists, sealing the game with clutch free throws. Izaiah Brockington added 21 points on efficient 9-of-13 shooting after sitting out Thursday’s game against Cairns, while Reuben Te Rangi and Next Star Karim Lopez also made significant contributions with 17 and 12 points respectively.
Breakers Overcome Second-Half Push from Adelaide
Despite leading by five points with just 10 seconds remaining, the Breakers faced a late scare as the 36ers clawed their way back, cutting the deficit to two points with three free throws from Cheatham. However, Mennenga’s composure at the free-throw line proved decisive, securing the championship for New Zealand. The 36ers, who finished the regular season in second place with a 23-10 record, will now turn their attention to the NBL Playoffs.
Cotton, who was rested in Perth on Friday, delivered a stellar performance with 34 points and 13-of-14 shooting from the free-throw line. Cheatham added 21 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals, while Nick Rakocevic contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds. However, the 36ers’ supporting cast struggled to provide enough support to overcome the Breakers’ balanced attack.
Early Lead and Second-Half Surge Define Breakers’ Victory
The Breakers established an early lead in the first quarter, fueled by three-pointers from Karim Lopez and Reuben Te Rangi, finishing the period with a 28-25 advantage while shooting an impressive 73 percent from the field. The 36ers responded strongly in the second quarter, sparked by Cotton, to take a 54-47 lead into halftime. Cotton had 17 points and seven assists in the first half, while Cheatham added 15 points on perfect shooting.
New Zealand came out firing in the third quarter, embarking on a 10-2 run capped off by a three-pointer from Jackson-Cartwright. The 36ers briefly regained momentum with a 13-3 run of their own, including three-pointers from Nick Rakocevic and DJ Vasiljevic, to take a one-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Breakers then seized control in the final period with a 12-2 run, extending their lead to as much as seven points before ultimately holding on for the victory.
The Hungry Jack’s NBL Season 2025/26 – Ignite Cup Presented by Disney+ Final saw the New Zealand Breakers (Jackson-Cartwright 29, Brockington 21, Mennenga 21) defeat the Adelaide 36ers (Cotton 34, Cheatham 21, Rakocevic 21) with a final score of 111-107. Sporting News provides further details on the game.
With the Ignite Cup secured, the New Zealand Breakers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their NBL campaign. The win demonstrates their potential and sets a positive tone for the remainder of the season. Fans will be eager to see if this championship victory can translate into sustained success as the Breakers pursue a playoff berth and a deeper run in the NBL finals.
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