- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Melbourne Village Today
By the People, for the People
Nick Kyrgios Courtside as South East Melbourne Phoenix Defeat NZ Breakers in Thriller
Tennis star joins Phoenix ownership group to witness team's offensive explosion and narrow victory over resilient Breakers squad.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:36pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A cubist interpretation of the intense on-court action as the South East Melbourne Phoenix and New Zealand Breakers battled in a thrilling NBL clash.Melbourne Village TodayForget the Australian Open drama – all eyes were on the basketball court as tennis star Nick Kyrgios made a surprising courtside appearance to witness the South East Melbourne Phoenix's thrilling 123-116 victory over the New Zealand Breakers in an NBL clash. Kyrgios, who recently joined the Phoenix ownership group, traded the tennis court for the hardwood to see the offensive juggernaut in action, as the home team raced out to a big lead before holding off a late Breakers comeback attempt.
Why it matters
The Phoenix's victory further solidifies their position near the top of the NBL standings as they continue to chase the ladder-leading 36ers. With Kyrgios now part of the ownership group, the game highlights the growing profile of the NBL and the potential for more high-profile celebrity involvement, which could boost the league's popularity.
The details
The Phoenix ignited the court with a season-equalling, competition-best first quarter, racking up a staggering 38 points and establishing a 10-point lead. They extended their advantage to 25 points at one stage in the first half, thanks to their red-hot shooting, connecting on 27 of their 40 field goal attempts (67%) and sinking 12 of their 20 three-point attempts (60%). However, the resilient Breakers refused to go down without a fight, chipping away at the lead and trimming the margin to just five points with three minutes remaining. The Phoenix clung to their lead, relying on star shooting guard Nathan Sobey to deliver clutch performances down the stretch.
- The game was played on Wednesday night at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne.
- The Phoenix had averaged 112.8 points per game over their last five outings prior to this game.
The players
Nick Kyrgios
A tennis star who recently joined the ownership group of the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
South East Melbourne Phoenix
An NBL team known for their explosive offense and offensive firepower, currently chasing the ladder-leading 36ers.
New Zealand Breakers
An NBL team known for their resilience and determination, fighting back from a significant deficit in this game.
Josh King
The head coach of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, who has instilled a ruthless mentality in his players.
Sam Mennenga
A forward for the New Zealand Breakers, who provided a highlight-reel dunk over the Phoenix's center.
What’s next
The Phoenix will continue their pursuit of the ladder-leading 36ers as the NBL season progresses, with the potential for more high-profile celebrity involvement at their games.
The takeaway
The South East Melbourne Phoenix's victory over the New Zealand Breakers showcases the team's offensive firepower and resilience, as well as the growing profile of the NBL with the involvement of tennis star Nick Kyrgios in the Phoenix's ownership group.
