New Zealand Breakers Dominate Illawarra Hawks 102–60
The New Zealand Breakers delivered a commanding performance against the Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong, winning 102–60 and highlighting significant defensive issues and lack of effort from the Hawks.
Match Overview
The game, held at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 31, 2025, was characterized by a clear contrast in readiness and intensity between the two teams. The Breakers, though with a 3-7 record, played like champions, while the Hawks struggled throughout the match.
Sam Mennenga of the Breakers dunks during the Round 7 NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and New Zealand Breakers at WIN Entertainment Centre.
Coach Petteri Koponen's Reflections
Breakers head coach Petteri Koponen admitted he did not expect such a large margin but praised the team's defensive consistency.
"If I’m honest, no," Koponen said regarding expecting a 42-point win. "But you know, we’ve shown these flashes throughout the beginning of the season. We had great, great 20 minutes, 25 minutes — like you said, against Brisbane we dominated the first half. We were up by, what, 24 points? I think that loss hurt everybody. There was pain, and we took that feeling. Today, the big topic was we need a consistent 40 minutes — and we found that. Especially defensively, we were really connected today."
He emphasized that their defensive stops led to successful fast breaks, enhancing their overall performance.
"When we get stops, we get to the open court, and we’re a pretty good team. But everything started on the defensive end — guys were communicating, being there, helping each other."
Summary
The Breakers' strong defense and teamwork were key to their overwhelming victory, exposing the Hawks' defensive collapse and insufficient effort throughout the game.
Author's summary: The Breakers' defensive unity and intensity led to a dominant 42-point win, clearly illustrating the Hawks' struggles on both ends of the court.