Breakers Overcome Fatigue to Down Injury-Hit Wildcats
In a thrilling matchup at Auckland’s Spark Arena, the New Zealand Breakers edged out the Perth Wildcats 89-85, despite struggling with fatigue after a grueling two-week, three-game NBLxNBA tour of the US.
Cotton’s Injury Blow
The game took a dramatic turn when Wildcats superstar Bryce Cotton suffered an expected fractured rib in the opening minutes. After taking a knock to his ribs, Cotton remained in the game for almost two minutes before being rushed to the locker room and eventually to the hospital. His coach, John Rillie, was left uncertain about his condition but had to quickly refocus his team.
Breakers’ Hot Shooting
The difference-maker in the end was the Breakers’ scorching three-point shooting, led by Matt Mooney, who nailed 7-of-10 attempts on his way to 28 points. Max Darling also made a significant contribution, dropping four long balls for 15 points. The Breakers shot an impressive 16-of-36 from three-point range, while the Wildcats struggled with 7-of-25.
Wildcats’ Gritty Effort
Despite losing Cotton, the Wildcats battled hard, with Tai Webster top-scoring with 20 points. Kristian Doolittle added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Ben Henshall chipped in with 13 points. However, their efforts were ultimately undone by the Breakers’ hot shooting and strong teamwork.
Koponen Praises Breakers’ Character
Coach Petteri Koponen was thrilled with the Breakers’ performance, praising their character and effort. “I was really happy not only because of the win, but because of how we played and showed character,” he said. “The effort was there, and 100 per cent the guys didn’t feel perfect, but they showed character, and that’s what good teams do.”
A Hard-Fought Win
The Breakers’ victory was a testament to their resilience and teamwork. Despite struggling with fatigue, they managed to hold off a determined Wildcats side and secure a hard-fought win. With this momentum, they will look to build on their success in the coming games.
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