How to watch & talking points: New Zealand v Sydney

02 Jan 2026

new zealand breakers

sydney kings

An understrength Sydney Kings travel to Spark Arena to battle the New Zealand Breakers in an exciting Friday night clash.

New Zealand Breakers (8th) v Sydney Kings (4th)
Friday, January 8, 5.30pm AEDT
Spark Arena

How to watch‍

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Tickets

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Talking points

Next man up
‍The Sydney Kings are coming off back-to-back losses for the first time in over a month and now they must try and snap their losing streak without two key players. With the news that Bul Kuol sustained an ACL injury and Xavier Cooks also set to miss, Brian Goorjian will look to his depth and give others an opportunity to step up. The Kings are loaded with talent, but the next few games will test them.

The Breakers’ time to strike
‍The Breakers are still clinging on to hope of making a push towards the top six and they face a wounded Sydney team at the perfect time. With Tasmania playing in the second game of this Friday night double, the Breakers must control what they can control and that’s continuing to find a way to win. Since the FIBA break, they have been very tough to beat at home and will look to continue that and build towards the Play-In.

What they're saying

Breakers coach Petteri Koponen on Rob Baker II's defence:
"With [Rob] Baker from the beginning of the season, [there have been questions about] can he guard? Today (Sunday) he showed he couldn't and Carlin [Davison] did a much better job [today].

"It's nothing personal, it's basketball, where you can't just play at one end. Baker can make some shots, but at the same time, you have to be able to play defence.

"Today he couldn't and it wasn't the first time, as we've had problems guarding high level wings and three/fours in this league."

Kings coach Brian Goorjian on dealing with the club's injuries:
"Right now, these games are coming fast and furious, and it's like you land, and here's the situation [we're in with Xavier and Bul being out].

"We've had to come up with some solutions knowing we don't have Bul in the full court, and what are we going to do [without them both].

"We have made adjustments over the past a couple of days before heading to New Zealand."