The 36ers finished the regular season near the top of the ladder, while the Breakers fought through a more turbulent campaign. Sydney Kings New Zealand Breakers
Cotton hit a clutch step-back three-pointer with one second remaining in overtime to seal a 112–110 win for Adelaide.
Adelaide escaped Christchurch with an early-season 83–79 victory. Key Player Matchups Adelaide vs New Zealand Breakers
The rivalry between the and the New Zealand Breakers reached a fever pitch in the 2025–26 NBL season, culminating in a series of high-stakes matchups that included regular-season thrillers and an inaugural cup final. Sun, Feb 22 Breakers won! A Season of Thrillers
The Breakers claimed the inaugural Ignite Cup and a $300,000 prize with a 111–107 victory on the Gold Coast. The 36ers finished the regular season near the
Despite the gap in the final standings, the New Zealand Breakers proved to be one of the most dangerous opponents for Adelaide , as evidenced by their Ignite Cup victory and multiple down-to-the-wire regular-season finishes.
The two teams met four times during the regular season and tournament play, with nearly every game decided by a handful of points: Key Player Matchups The rivalry between the and
Bryce Cotton exploded for 42 points to lead a massive 18-point comeback, securing a narrow 92–89 win for the 36ers in Adelaide.