Breakers lose to Adelaide 36ers in home return
Friday 30 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 4 reports · updated In this story New Zealand Breakers, Sam Mennenga, Carlin Davison, Gordon Herbert, Adelaide 36ers, Bryce Cotton
The New Zealand Breakers suffered a 108-101 defeat against the Adelaide 36ers at Spark Arena. After playing five consecutive away games in Australia, the Breakers recovered from a halftime deficit to lead late in the game, but ultimately faded in the final quarter.
Key facts
5 facts
- The Breakers lost 108-101 to the Adelaide 36ers at Spark Arena
- The Breakers' season record is now 4-6
- Bryce Cotton scored 31 points for the 36ers
- Sam Mennenga scored 28 points for the Breakers
- The match took place on a Friday night
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
The New Zealand Breakers suffered a 108-101 defeat to the Adelaide 36ers at Spark Arena on Friday night. After playing five consecutive away games in different Australian cities, the Breakers returned home to find themselves trailing 56-44 at halftime. They staged a comeback in the third quarter to lead 88-86 with five minutes remaining, but ultimately lost the match.
Adelaide star Bryce Cotton led the 36ers with 31 points and six assists, including 13 points in the final quarter. The 36ers secured the win following back-to-back three-pointers from Cotton and a late shot from Keanu Rasmussen. The loss leaves the Breakers with a 4-6 record and in ninth place, while the 36ers move to fifth on the NBL table.
Breakers head coach Gordy Herbert criticised the team's performance, describing the first-half effort as "pathetic". Herbert stated, "In the first half it was pathetic. It was probably the most pathetic 20 minutes we’ve played this season". He noted that while the third quarter showed the intensity required, the team lacked togetherness and energy during the opening period.
Individual performances for the Breakers included Sam Mennenga with 28 points and six triples, Carlin Davison with 16 points and 11 assists, and Charles Bediako with 16 points and five blocks. The team's next match is a road game against Melbourne United on Monday.
How it developed
- Sat 31 Oct, 11:30amCoach Gordy Herbert labelled the team's first-half effort as "pathetic" and cited a lack of fight and togetherness.
Where reports differ
- One report states the Breakers' season record is 4-5, while others state it is 4-6
Compiled from reports by The Post, NZ Herald and RNZ.
