Breakers Dominate Hawks 102-60 in NBL Round 7
The New Zealand Breakers overwhelmed the Illawarra Hawks 102–60 in Wollongong, highlighting Illawarra's defensive struggles and lack of effort.
Match Summary
The Breakers showed determination and readiness, in contrast to the Hawks, who failed to match the intensity. The game took place at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 31, 2025, as part of Round 7 in the NBL26 season.
“One team was ready to play and one wasn't. The New Zealander Breakers were the former and defending champions Illawarra Hawks the latter as the Breakers destroyed the Hawks 102-60.”
Coach Petteri Koponen's Insights
Breakers head coach Petteri Koponen acknowledged the team's effort and consistency throughout the match, which led to their decisive victory despite an uneven season start.
“If I’m honest, no,” Koponen said on whether he expected such a 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. 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.”
Key Factors in the Victory
- Strong defensive coordination
- Effective communication among players
- Consistent effort throughout the full game
- Ability to capitalize on fast breaks after stops
The Breakers improved their record to 3-7 with this win, demonstrating potential when playing a full, focused game.
Author's summary: The New Zealand Breakers delivered a commanding performance against the Illawarra Hawks, showing defensive strength and consistent effort to win by 42 points.