After defeating the Tasmania JackJumpers 88-84 in Hobart on the opening night of NBL26, Melbourne United have become the first team of the competition to go 2-0 with a barnstorming 114-82 win over a defensively hapless New Zealand Breakers.
United made their way into the paint with consummate ease in the first quarter to score an unbelievable 22 points to two from in the paint, repeating their domination of the glass from Thursday night to score 16 points to zero on the fast break as the Breakers offered little to no defensive protection in transition without their preferred starting centre Sam Mennenga to protect the rim.
High scoring Breakers import Parker Jackson-Cartwright was a shadow of his best self throughout the game, recording a field goal percentage of just 25% and shooting 1 from 3 from outside the arc, and appeared to be complaining as early as the first quarter of rib pain following his extensive issues with a rib injury last season that had flared up during the pre-season.
Breakers head coach Petteri Koponen confirmed after the match that PJC is “trying his best” to play through the pain but is struggling with discomfort on an ongoing basis.
The Breakers continued to shoot very poorly from outside the arc in the first half, just as they did in their season-opening loss to the Bullets, though they were able to at least improve their three-point accuracy after half-time when attempting to claw back a 22-point half-time margin.
New starting United centre Jesse Edwards was simply sublime once again, registering 19 of his game-high 22 points by three-quarter time and contributing two of United’s five blocks.
17-year-old Dash Daniels, currently projected to be a potential top-ten NBA Draft pick for 2026, also impressed with 14 points and five rebounds from 20 minutes of action.
“It’s a great team to be around,” Daniels said to reporters after the match.
“The players and coaching staff are great to have by your side and make a great culture. I put all my trust in my coaches and teammates.
“Day by day, I’m learning about defensive skills and how to maintain the pressure throughout the whole game.“
A flat Koponen was not willing to blame a heavy travel schedule (including a pre-season in Japan) or illnesses within the team for their poor start to the season.
“The biggest issue is it looks like we are outshaped,” Koponen said of the Breakers’ slow start in the post-game press conference.
“Our feet and our heads are slow. The chemistry is not there. There are no magic tricks. We need to keep working together as a group.“
