How to watch & talking points: Sydney v New Zealand (Round 3, NBL26)

Saturday, October 4, 2025

sydney kings

new zealand beakers

The Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers are both searching for their first win of the Hungry Jack's NBL season.

Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers
Saturday, October 4, 5.30pm AEST
Qudos Bank Arena

How to watch‍

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Talking points

Sydney’s shooting
‍It was not the way Sydney Kings fans expected their season to begin, suffering a shock loss to a Cairns team that just had all the answers. The Kings shot just 14.3 per cent from the three, which was their worst display since 2022, with Kendric Davis and Kouat Noi combining to make just two from 16 attempts.

With so many new key faces, it can take some time to figure everything out, but the shooting is something that Brian Goorjian will hope was just a once-off. ‍

Breakers need to catch a break
‍The New Zealand Breakers fought back valiantly against Perth last round and put themselves in the driver’s seat to notch up their first win. Unfortunately for Petteri Koponen and the team, it all fell apart in the final five minutes, and they squandered what would have been a perfect way to get on the board.

Now they get a chance to inflict some more pain on a Sydney team who will no doubt be hungry to forget last week and chalk up the first win.

What they're saying

Sydney's Shaun Bruce ahead of his 350th NBL game on Saturday:
‍“I feel really fortunate [to bring up this milestone], because I know how hard it was to get here to play just one game.

“It doesn’t feel real to play this many, and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to be here for so long.

“To start as a development player in Cairns, who took it all as it came, I felt I made it at that point.

“As a kid, I used to watch the NBL religiously, so that was all I dreamed about - I just love the sport and have been very lucky to get to where I am now.

“So playing my first game was living out my dream, so I’d be lying if it ever crossed my mind that I’d play this many.”‍

New Zealand's Parker Jackson-Cartwright on his team's 0-3 start to the season:
“Nobody likes to lose but we're professionals, who will continue to turn up each each day with the right intentions to get better and the mindset of winning games.

“This league is so fast, you need a short-term memory and go to the next one; the next day, the next practice and continue to trust your coaches and teammates.

“As players, we've just got to continue to lock in and get better [each time we step on the court]."

Depth charts

Sydney
‍Projected depth chart:
PG: Dellavedova / Bruce
SG: Davis (IP) / Robertson
SF: Galloway / Kuol / Maluach / Awan (DP)
PF: Cooks / Noi / Malual (DP)
C: Soares (IP)

New Zealand
Potential depth chart:
PG: Jackson-Cartwright (IP) / Britt / McNaught (DP)
SG: Brockington (IP) / Le'Afa / Cooper (DP)
SF: Lopez (NS) / Bairstow / Davison / Judd (DP)
PF: Baker II (IP) / Te Rangi / Darling
C: Mennenga / Loe / Andrew (DP)