Recap | Breakers with gutsy win over Kings

Their backs might have been against the wall, but the BNZ Breakers weren’t deterred and with Sam Mennenga and Carlin Davison showing the way, they knocked off the Sydney Kings 102-101 in Canberra.

The Breakers arrived at AIS Arena in Canberra on Wednesday night as the reigning Ignite Cup by 7-Eleven champions and having already started the in-season tournament beating the Cairns Taipans two weeks ago.

But they arrived still without import pair Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Josiah-Jordan James, and they were still on the road in what has been a gruelling start to NBL27.

Not only that, but they were facing the defending NBL champions who have yet to jump on a plane yet this season and who also were smarting off a loss themselves on Sunday.

Sydney then had opened up a 10-point advantage by half-time before the Breakers responded with a standout third quarter with 24 points to 12 while holding the Kings to 4/20 shooting.

The Breakers then opened up a 13-point advantage before having to withstand a late three-point barrage from Torrey Craig before holding on for the one-point character-building win to improve to a 4-3 record.

Once again, Carlin Davison took on the point guard responsibilities and did so with aplomb not only finishing with 14 assists, but also scoring 20 points on 6/9 shooting from the field with 3/5 from downtown and 5/5 at the foul line.

Sam Mennenga was also a powerful presence once more with 27 points, 13 rebounds and two steals on 9/12 shooting.

Mojave King also produced 17 points, four rebounds and four assists, DJ Vasiljevic 13 points and two assists, and Kouat Noi 10 points and three boards in the first game against his former team.

Reuben Te Rangi added six points, five rebounds and two steals, Charles Bediako four points while being limited to just 12 minutes with foul trouble, Izayah Le'Afa three points and four assists, and Anzac Rissetto two points while being +7 in his four minutes.

Even though Sydney opened up an early double-figure advantage, the Breakers hit back to lead 31-29 by the end of the first quarter.

That was with 12 points already from Mennenga while Davison was up to six points and six assists after the opening 10 minutes.

The Kings pushed out to a 61-51 advantage by half-time, thanks to 32 points to 20 in the second quarter, but the Breakers responded impressively in the third frame.

Not only did they put up 24 points themselves but more importantly held Sydney to just 12 with 4/20 shooting including 1/9 from the outside.

The Breakers pushed that advantage out to six early in the fourth frame too before it became nine with just under six minutes to play thanks to back-to-back three balls from Te Rangi and King.

Then just as the Kings made a mini-run, Davison responded with a tough and-one play and King scored once more, and despite a late scare from Craig with four three-pointers in the last two minutes, the Breakers held on for the one-point win.

BNZ Breakers 102 defeated Sydney Kings 101

AIS Arena, Canberra
Wednesday 14 October, 2026

Sam Mennenga – 27 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals
Carlin Davison – 20 points, 14 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals
Mojave King – 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
DJ Vasiljevic – 13 points, 2 assists
Kouat Noi – 10 points, 3 rebounds

Next Home game
BNZ Breakers v Adelaide 36ers
Spark Arena
Friday 30 October, 2026
7:30pm tipoff (NZ time)
Tickets available by clicking here