Tatum 'sorry' after Breakers dominate Hawks by 42
The New Zealand Breakers overwhelmed the Illawarra Hawks 102–60 in Wollongong, exploiting major defensive breakdowns and a lack of fight from the defending champions.
During Round 7 of the NBL season, the Breakers were focused and sharp, while the Hawks appeared unprepared and sluggish. The matchup at WIN Entertainment Centre on October 31, 2025, left a clear message — the Breakers’ defense and cohesion were back to form.
Coach Koponen’s reflections
"If I’m honest, no," said head coach Petteri Koponen when asked if he expected such a dominant win. "But we’ve shown these flashes at the start of the season. We had great 20 or 25 minutes — like against Brisbane, where we dominated the first half. That loss hurt, and we carried that pain here."
"Today, the big topic was consistency for 40 minutes — and we achieved that. Especially on defense, we were connected. When we got stops, we ran the floor well. Everything started from our defense — guys communicated, supported, and trusted one another."
Key takeaways
- The Breakers executed a full-game defensive performance.
- Illawarra’s lack of intensity and defensive response was exposed.
- Koponen emphasized consistency, communication, and cohesion as turning points.
Author’s summary: The Breakers’ 42-point rout over the Hawks showcased their revitalized defense and teamwork, signaling a crucial shift toward stability after early struggles.
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