Breakers star’s honest take on playing hurt

Parker Jackson-Cartwright won’t play again in NBL27, but the Breakers guard has every intention of returning, with New Zealand citizenship and a Tall Blacks debut still firmly in his sights.

The star point guard was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his tibia on Monday, ending his season after weeks of battling through pain.

It’s a bitter blow for both the 31-year-old and the Breakers, though it’s a road he’s travelled before.

“I’ve had an injury just like this one many years ago. So, it’s not new to me,” he said.

“I was definitely playing through pain. You know, injuries happen as a result of pain, that’s just life.

“I knew I had something going on and it came to a screeching halt where it needed extra attention. These things happen.”

Jackson-Cartwright admitted he felt something “more than usual” in the lead-up to last Friday’s clash with the 36ers, yet a lesson from his father kept him on the floor.

“My dad used to say, is it pain or injury? And, you know, in my mind, I felt at the time it was just pain,” he said.

“When you’re out there, you’re playing with adrenaline, you’re a competitor, you’re just playing through things.”

He isn’t dwelling on the decision to play on.

“Whether or not I made a decision to keep playing, we are where we are. I can’t go back in time.”

Breakers coach Gordie Herbert praised his marquee man’s efforts to stay on the court through load management and minutes restrictions.

“He really sacrificed himself,” Herbert said.

“Give the kid some credit there, a lot of credit, obviously when you watched him play the last couple of games you knew something wasn’t right.”

His absence comes at a tough time for an injury-hit Breakers side. They sit bottom of the standings, and a player of Jackson-Cartwright’s calibre is near impossible to replace.

He’s yet to decide whether he’ll stay in New Zealand or complete his rehabilitation overseas, but ‘PJC’ is ready to support the group however he can, including taking on more of a mentoring role.

“I know the guys like having me around. I feel truly that they value what I say, and I like being around this group,” he said.

“I think if I take on a coaching role, that would just be up to me just wanting to lead with my voice more and give my input.

“But I know there’s some guys that could probably use it, especially Carlin [Davison]. But just being in whoever’s ear, just offering my advice. I’m a veteran in this game, so I know a lot.”

Jackson-Cartwright has been open about his love for New Zealand and his ambition to one day represent the Tall Blacks, and the injury hasn’t changed that.

“There’s some importance for me playing for New Zealand,” he said.

The official process is ongoing, and while he’s unsure exactly where it’s at, the dream remains very much alive.

For now, his focus is firmly on his recovery.

“I’m really looking forward to getting better and getting healthy and leaning on people that are going to make me feel like I’m not alone through this journey.”