Game Report: Hawks vs Breakers | RD16 NBL26

Hawks Show Heart in Final Home Stand Before Road Trip

The Illawarra Hawks shot a scorching 56.5% at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon, but it wasn’t enough, falling just short in a 101-96 thriller against the New Zealand Breakers. In a game defined by massive swings and a gritty second-half fightback, Justin Tatum’s men proved they have the fire, even when the "details" don't quite go their way.

The game started with a tweaked starting lineup, with Quentin Peterson JR (QJ) given the start alongside, Tyler Harvey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Sam Froling, and JaVale McGee in the starting five.

While the Breakers threatened to blow the game open early, it was Daniel Grida who provided the spark off the bench. Grida inspired a spirited first-quarter comeback, only for the momentum to be cruelly halted when New Zealand’s Parker Jackson-Cartwright (PJC) drained a miraculous half-court heave to end the period.

The second quarter saw the Hawks' play turn lackluster, allowing the Breakers to pull away. Coach Tatum didn't mince words at the half, delivering a direct address to the squad and shaking up the lineup for the third term. In a bold move, stars QJ and JaVale McGee started the second half on the pine, with Mason Peatling and William "Davo" Hickey called upon to inject energy.

The tactical shift didn't pay immediate dividends as the Breakers pushed their lead to a game-high 15 points mid-way through the third. However, the Hawks' "never say die" attitude took over. Inspired by the duo of QJ and Davo, Illawarra went on a blistering 11-0 run. A tough layup from Hickey with 1:49 left in the third brought the deficit to just three points at 64-67, sending the sellout crowd of 5,323 fans into a frenzy.

Ultimately, the Hawks were their own worst enemy. 19 turnovers—12 of which occurred in the opening 15 minutes—proved to be momentum-sapping hurdles too high to climb. Combined with a significant 28-14 free-throw discrepancy in favor of the visitors, the uphill battle was steep.

Every time the Hawks looked ready to snatch the lead, New Zealand's Parker Jackson-Cartwright (23 points, 8 assists) or Izaiah Brockington (20 points) hit backbreaking shots to maintain the buffer. Sam Mennenga was also a major problem inside, finishing with 21 points, while Rob Baker II added 17 to round out a potent Breakers attack.

Post game (watch press-conference), Coach Tatum highlighted a "lack of details" on the defensive end and turnovers as the primary factors in the result. Despite the loss, the Hawks dominated the paint 58-46 and won the glass 38-28, showing that the effort is there even when the execution wavers.

The road ahead is clear. The Hawks now hit the road for four consecutive games, where they must rely on other results to fall their way and pick up a series of wins. It all starts in Perth as part of the league’s Hoops Fest.

Make sure to follow our social media channels for all the highlights and photos from tonight's battle!

NEXT GAME

The Hawks travel west to face the Perth Wildcats on Friday, January 16, at 9:30 pm at NBL's annual HoopsFest

We return to the Sandpit on Saturday, January 31, to host the Wildcats . Make sure you head to Ticketmaster to secure your seats!

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HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 (Boxscore)

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 96 (Peterson JR 22, Grida 14, Harvey 14, Hickey 14)

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 101 (Jackson-Cartwright 23, Mennenga 21, Brockington 20)

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