History of New Zealand Breakers in Timeline

The New Zealand Breakers are a professional basketball team based in Auckland, New Zealand, competing in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). They are the only current non-Australian team in the league and one of only two ever to participate. Primarily playing home games at Spark Arena, the Breakers achieved significant success in the early 2010s. They won their first NBL championship in 2011 and followed up with back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, securing the second three-peat in NBL history. Their fourth championship came in 2015.

March 2003: New Zealand Team Enters NBL

In March 2003, it was confirmed that a New Zealand basketball team would enter the Australian National Basketball League in the 2003-04 season, leading to the establishment of the Breakers franchise.

2003: Sydney Kings Championship

In 2003, the Sydney Kings won a championship.

2004: Breakers Finished Last Place

After the 2004 season, the New Zealand Breakers finished in last place in the league.

2004: Sydney Kings Championship

In 2004, the Sydney Kings won a championship.

2005: Liz and Paul Blackwell Owned the Breakers

From 2005, Liz and Paul Blackwell owned the New Zealand Breakers.

2005: Blackwells Take Over Ownership

In 2005, Liz and Paul Blackwell took over ownership of the New Zealand Breakers basketball team.

2005: Sydney Kings Championship

In 2005, the Sydney Kings won a championship.

2007: First Playoff Appearance

With the addition of Kirk Penney for the 2007–08 season, the New Zealand Breakers made their first playoff appearance.

2008: Returned to the Playoffs

In 2008, the New Zealand Breakers returned to the playoffs behind Penney and C.J. Bruton.

2009: Penney Sidelined with Injury

In 2009, Kirk Penney was sidelined for nine games due to a back injury, contributing to a mid-season slump that caused the New Zealand Breakers to miss the playoffs.

2010: Earned First Minor Premiership

In the 2010–11 season, the New Zealand Breakers earned their first minor premiership with a first-place finish and a 22–6 record.

2011: Won First NBL Championship

In 2011, the New Zealand Breakers won their first NBL championship, marking a significant milestone in the team's history.

2011: Claimed Minor Premiership

In the 2011–12 season, the New Zealand Breakers claimed the minor premiership with a 21–7 record and reached the NBL grand final series.

2012: Defended NBL Championship

In 2012, the New Zealand Breakers successfully defended their NBL championship title, marking their second consecutive win.

2012: Off-Season Changes

In the 2012 off-season, Gary Wilkinson departed, Alex Pledger was elevated to the starting line-up, and Corey Webster returned after a suspension.

2013: Missed the Playoffs

In 2013, the New Zealand Breakers missed the playoffs.

2013: Claimed Second Three-peat in NBL History

In 2013, the New Zealand Breakers won their third consecutive NBL championship, claiming the second three-peat in NBL history.

2013: Departure of Andrej Lemanis

The 2013 off-season saw the departure of long-time New Zealand Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis.

2014: Brought Back Cedric Jackson

After missing the playoffs in the 2013–14 season, the New Zealand Breakers brought back Cedric Jackson for the 2014–15 season.

2015: Won Fourth NBL Title

In 2015, the New Zealand Breakers secured their fourth NBL championship, adding another title to their achievements.

2015: Lost Grand Final Series

In 2015-16, the New Zealand Breakers returned to the NBL grand final series for the fifth time in six years, where they lost 2–1 to the Perth Wildcats.

2016: Reached Grand Final Series

In 2016, the Breakers reached their first grand final series since 2016.

2016: Missed Playoffs

In 2016, the New Zealand Breakers missed the playoffs.

2017: Missed the Playoffs

After missing the playoffs in the 2016–17 season, the New Zealand Breakers had a 9–1 record early in the 2017–18 season, setting their best start in franchise history.

2018: Matt Walsh Acquired Majority Stake

In 2018, a consortium led by former NBA player Matt Walsh acquired a majority stake in the New Zealand Breakers through Breakers Basketball Ltd.

2018: Missed the Playoffs

In 2018, under head coach Kevin Braswell, the New Zealand Breakers missed the playoffs, finishing sixth with a 12–16 record.

February 2019: Banner Honoring Blackwells

In February 2019, former New Zealand Breakers owners Paul and Liz Blackwell were honored by the team with a banner in the rafters at Spark Arena.

2019: Missed Playoffs on Points Differential

In 2019, despite winning 11 of their last 14 games, the New Zealand Breakers missed the playoffs on points differential.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Impact

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the New Zealand Breakers committed to being based in Australia for the majority of the 2020-21 season.

January 2021: 2020-21 Season Delayed

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Zealand Breakers' 2020–21 season start date was delayed until January 2021.

2021: Entire Season in Australia

As a result of the pandemic, the New Zealand Breakers played their entire 2021–22 season in Australia, basing themselves in Tasmania.

2022: Maor Elevated to Head Coach

In 2022, assistant coach Mody Maor was elevated to head coach for the 2022–23 season, helping the New Zealand Breakers become championship contenders.

2023: Abercrombie Retired and Maor Departs

In 2023, Thomas Abercrombie retired from the NBL, ending his career as the Breakers' most-capped player and head coach Mody Maor parted ways with the team to pursue a coaching opportunity in Asia.

2023: Lost in Play-in Game

The New Zealand Breakers started the 2023–24 season with a 3–7 record, finished sixth with a 13–15 record, and lost in the play-in game.

2024: End of Season

As of the end of the 2024-25 season.

2024: Finished Second-to-Last Place

The New Zealand Breakers started the 2024–25 season with a 6–2 record, but finished in second-to-last place with a 10–19 record.

March 2025: Marc Mitchell acquired the club

In March 2025, Kiwi-American businessman and attorney Marc Mitchell acquired the New Zealand Breakers basketball club.

March 2025: Club Acquired by Marc Mitchell

In March 2025, the New Zealand Breakers club was acquired by Kiwi-American businessman and attorney Marc Mitchell. Mitchell assumed the role of majority owner and formed a partnership with local figures. Thomas Abercrombie joined the ownership group as a special advisor.