Preview | BNZ Breakers @ Tasmania JackJumpers

The BNZ Breakers remain on the road but are on a high after beating the defending NBL champions and welcome in German import Nelson Weidemann to take on the Tasmania JackJumpers on Sunday.

The string of road games in October for the Breakers continues on Sunday afternoon when they play the JackJumpers at Hobart's MyState Bank Arena with the game getting underway at 5pm New Zealand time.

The Breakers come into the contest fresh off a stirring win in Canberra on Wednesday night to beat the defending champion Sydney Kings 102-101.

That improved the Breakers to a 4-3 record on the season and considering the amount of travel they have already done with five of the opening seven matches on the road, and while yet to be near full strength, that is a commendable position to be in.

The next test for the Breakers is a JackJumpers team who came into Round 5 of the NBL season in top spot and having won three straight matches before losing at home to the Adelaide 36ers on Friday night.

The JackJumpers now remain home to host the Breakers on Sunday in the first meeting of the season for the two teams who have built up quite the spirited rivalry since the Tasmanian team joined the NBL.

In the absence of Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Josiah-Jordan James, and with Charles Bediako limited to just over 12 minutes with foul trouble against the Kings, what stood out was the locals stepping up big time for the Breakers.

That included a career-best performance from Carlin Davison with 20 points, 14 assists, four rebounds and four steals with Sma Mennenga continuing his imposing form with 27 points and 13 rebounds after having 40 points, 18 boards, five assists and five three-pointers against Perth.

Then there was Mojave King continuing to step up impressively with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists, DJ Vasiljevic 13 points and two assists, and Kouat Noi 10 points and three rebounds.

The Breakers will now get a boost on the personnel front for Sunday's game too with the availability of German import Nelson Weidemann who arrives as an injury replacement for James.

Weidemann is no stranger to Breakers coach Gordie Herbert having previously been part of the German national team where Herbert won a World Cup as coach back in 2023, and has recently been playing back in his home country for Vechta.

His last game with them was only back on October 10 where he had eight points and three assists in 25 minutes in a win over Ulm so he arrives to join the Breakers in game shape and ready to go.

First-year Breakers guard Vasiljevic has seen it all already in his 180-game NBL career as a two-time championship winner and fresh off almost making it a third last season with the Adelaide 36ers.

He has fitted in seamlessly with the Breakers so far in NBL27 and is looking forward to welcoming Weidemann to the group.

"After 30 hours of travel, he (Weidemann) seems in good spirits, had a great practice with us today (Saturday) and fits in straight away," Vasiljevic said.

"He came out to the game with us last night (JackJumpers v 36ers in Hobart) and wanted to chat and know about the league, I think he will be full steam ahead when he hits that court."

Vasiljevic is fully aware of the environment the Breakers will face in Hobart on Sunday having played a Championship Series against the JackJumpers while at the Kings.

But he is looking forward to another chance to play in front of a sold out crowd and for the Breakers build on what they are building.

"It is a lot smaller gym, compact and on top of you. It will be a good test, a good challenge and really loud in there. There is always going to be something going on," Vasiljevic added.

"For us it's just another chance to build on a great comeback win over Sydney, we did a lot of good things.

"One thing that hasn’t changed is the effort and how hard we are playing. Early season roller coasters but we have to bring the energy and the effort going into another hostile environment in Tassie.

"Being in good hotels, good food, getting in the recovery and hanging out with each other helps. Yes, you can miss home a little bit, but if you all stick together home is wherever we travel, so sticking together."

The Breakers will play another game on the road the following Sunday in Cairns in what will be the 400th NBL appearance of Reuben Te Rangi before a return to Spark Arena on Friday October 30 against the 36ers.

BNZ Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers
MyState Bank Arena, Hobart

Sunday 18 October, 2026
5:00pm tipoff (NZ time)

Next Home game
BNZ Breakers v Adelaide 36ers‍

Spark Arena
Friday 30 October, 2026
7:30pm tipoff (NZ time)
Tickets available by clicking here