Recap
New Zealand Breakers have received a significant boost ahead of their final two regular-season games in the NBL campaign.
After fracturing his wrist on January 21, top scorer Sam Mennenga (17.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.6 APG) is set to return for the match against Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena, as well as for Sunday’s historic Ignite Cup Final against Adelaide 36ers. His presence restores interior scoring, rebounding stability and overall balance to the Breakers rotation.
In addition, highly regarded Next Star Karim Lopez (11.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.9 APG) has also been cleared to play in both fixtures. The simultaneous return of two key players could prove decisive, particularly as the Breakers look to regain confidence after losing three of their last four games.
Cairns arrive in poor form, having dropped six of their previous eight rounds. They will also be without important pieces in Waardenburg (15.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.8 APG) and Higgins-Titsha (6.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG), further weakening their rotation on both ends of the floor.
Historically, the Breakers have dominated this match at Spark Arena, winning the last four home meetings against Cairns.