Breakers face hard truths: "Look in the mirror"

23 Dec 2025

Petteri Koponen calls for accountability and improved effort as the Breakers’ slide continues following another costly loss.

New Zealand Breakers coach Petteri Koponen has told his players to look in the mirror and stop blaming each other following the club's latest shock NBL loss.

Just three days after losing to last-placed Cairns, the Breakers were again humbled by an NBL struggler, going down 99–85 to the Brisbane Bullets in Brisbane on Monday night.

The result snapped Brisbane’s seven-game losing streak and marked their first win since parting ways with coach Stu Lash last week.

The Breakers (7–13) have now lost three games in a row, putting their chances of making the NBL play-in in serious doubt.

Koponen didn’t hold back when analysing his team’s performance.

"It’s not the first time this season when we hit adversity and how we respond, we kind of broke down, especially in the first half. We let Brisbane score 56 points," Koponen said.

"When adversity hits, you always have choices in how you respond.

"What I saw today, we were not staying together, and we were always complaining or blaming somebody else.

"I told the guys it’s time to look in the mirror, us coaches first and then everybody else, and ask what we can do better to help this team.

"Everything starts with effort, especially on the defensive end and rebounding. It’s all about playing hard and playing with effort."

New Zealand had no answers for Bullets centre Tyrell Harrison, who dominated with 24 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, as Brisbane won the rebounding battle 48–36.

The Breakers also struggled offensively, shooting just 6-of-27 from three-point range and 17-of-27 from the free-throw line.

New Zealand will return to action on Boxing Day against the Tasmania JackJumpers, before hosting Perth on January 4 and Sydney on January 9 in what shapes as a crucial stretch of games.

"We’re going to go back home now, and we’ll give the guys Christmas Eve free so they can spend time with their families," Koponen said.

"Everybody wants to win and compete, but at the same time it’s Christmas. You want to spend some time with loved ones.

"We give the guys the 24th all day with their families. On the 25th we practice, then we travel to Tassie again.

"We have to come out as a different unit, support each other and compete."