The New Zealand Breakers closed their NBL season with a 96-82 defeat to the table-topping Illawarra Hawks in Auckland, struggling to contain sharpshooter Tyler Harvey, who led all scorers with 29 points, including six three-pointers.
Tacko Fall was the Breakers’ standout with 16 points, five rebounds, and three blocks in just over 21 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Illawarra’s dominance.
The Hawks secured the top spot on the ladder with one game still to play, while the Breakers finished ninth with a 10-19 record.
Head coach Petteri Koponen admitted his team struggled against the Hawks’ defensive pressure, which disrupted their offensive rhythm.
Meanwhile, centre Dane Pineau announced his retirement after eight NBL seasons, returning from a meniscus tear for his 165th and final appearance in the league.
