A resilient New Zealand Breakers side fell just 31 seconds short of a second stunning victory in three days, falling 91-89 to the Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart on Sunday.
The defeat leaves the team’s playoff prospects hanging by a thread as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Having trailed for all but 26 seconds of the contest and facing a nine-point deficit at the start of the final quarter, the Breakers briefly seized the lead. An eight-point contribution from 18-year-old NBA prospect Karim López culminated in a basket that gave the visitors an 87-86 advantage in a strength-sapping encounter.
However, the game’s leading scorer, David Johnson, restored the Tasmania lead with 15 seconds remaining. Johnson finished with a game-high 33 points. While there was still time for Parker Jackson-Cartwright to launch a potential game-winner for the Breakers but his shot struck the back of the rim and bounced away.
The loss in Hobart sees the JackJumpers move to a 13-17 record, placing them two wins ahead of the New Zealand Breakers (11-18), though the New Zealand club retains a game in hand.
While the New Zealand Breakers were whistled for 24 personal fouls, the Tasmania JackJumpers were pinged just 15 times. And Kiwi fans were reaching for historic assertions about the Australian officiating in general play.
Fronting up only 48 hours after their victory over Melbourne United, the Breakers were paced by Izayah Brockington. The guard made six-for-seven from three-point range on his way to 24 points. Jackson-Cartwright added seven rebounds and five assists to his 14 points, becoming the 10th player in franchise history to score 1500 points.
Late-season recruit Tai Webster scored a season-high 15 points, while Max Darling added nine. Although López could not reproduce his Friday night heroics, he contributed eight points, four rebounds, and three blocks. Alongside Johnson’s outburst, the JackJumpers received strong production from Majok Deng with 17 points and Josh Bannan, who tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Breakers fell nine points adrift early in the second period but rallied to within a single point following back-to-back three-pointers from Jackson-Cartwright and Brockington. Johnson, who scored 22 points in the first half alone, pushed the Tasmania advantage toward double digits, but the Breakers remained in touch to trail 53-47 at halftime.
Tasmania stretched the lead to 12 points during the third quarter, but Brockington kept the visitors competitive with 11 points in the period. Webster and veteran Rob Loe combined for seven points early in the fourth quarter to set up the late drama.
With four regular-season games remaining, the Breakers next face the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday, February 5, at Eventfinda Stadium. The team will be looking to extract revenge against a Phoenix who have had some luck this year.
Result: Tasmania JackJumpers 91 (David Johnson 33, Majok Deng 17, Josh Bannan 16).
New Zealand Breakers 89 (Izayah Brockington 24, Tai Webster 15, Parker Jackson-Cartwright 14, Max Darling 9, Karim López 8).