Match Preview: Hawks @ Breakers | Rd4 NBL26

The Illawarra Hawks head to Auckland this Wednesday night to take on the New Zealand Breakers in Round 4 of NBL26 — and the opening night of the league’s brand-new NBL Ignite Cup competition.

Starting October 8, Ignite Cup games will light up Wednesday nights across the NBL. Each fixture counts toward both the regular season standings and a separate Ignite Cup ladder, with quarter-by-quarter scoring used to track progress. The competition will culminate in a standalone final with a $400,000 prize pool — 60% of which goes directly to players, with the remaining 40% to clubs.

Two Teams Searching for a Spark
Both sides enter Wednesday’s clash desperate for their first win of the season. The Hawks sit at 0–2, while the Breakers have endured a rough start at 0–4, dropping games to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

For Illawarra, there’s confidence that Auckland can again be a turning point. The Hawks are 7–3 in their last 10 against the Breakers, including Coach Justin Tatum’s debut victory there two seasons ago. That same season, the Hawks eliminated New Zealand in the play-in game at WIN Entertainment Centre — and just last year, sealed top spot in the regular season with a gutsy road win at Spark Arena.

Hawks Form Watch
Star big man JaVale McGee has made a thunderous start to his NBL journey, averaging 29.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 68% from the field. His size and activity on both ends continue to anchor the Hawks’ game plan.

Captain Tyler Harvey has been his usual offensive catalyst, putting up 19.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while leading the team in minutes at just over 34 per game.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, long regarded as one of the NBL’s elite perimeter defenders, has shown he’s far more than a stopper this season — proving a genuine two-way threat. He’s averaging 11.5 points per game while shooting an ultra-efficient 73% from the field and 71% from three, adding an offensive punch to go with his trademark defensive intensity.

Opponent Watch: New Zealand Breakers
The Breakers led by Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who’s back for his third NBL campaign. The dynamic guard — an All-NBL First Team selection in 2024 — leads New Zealand in both points (13.8) and assists (6.5) per game, and is the engine behind their uptempo attack.

Forward Sam Mennenga has been a bright spot, averaging 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds, while Izayah Brockington (12.5 ppg on 52% shooting) adds scoring punch on the perimeter. Next-Star stretch forward Karim Lopez has impressed beyond the arc, hitting 55% from three.

Despite the slow start, the Breakers’ mix of experience and shooting depth makes them a threat capable of turning things around quickly — particularly on their home floor.

The Matchup
With both teams winless, expect an intense, playoff-style feel in Auckland. The Hawks will look to assert their interior advantage through McGee while tightening their defensive rotations against a Breakers side still searching for rhythm. If Illawarra can bring four solid quarters - a key focus under the Ignite Cup’s scoring system - they’ll have every chance to leave New Zealand with a confidence-boosting victory.

Next Game:
The Hawks return home to the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday, October 11, to take on the Brisbane Bullets.

🎟️ Grab your tickets now via Ticketmaster and help pack The Sandpit!

Follow the Illawarra Hawks across our social media channels for match highlights and behind-the-scenes coverage from the Ignite Cup opener.