Tyrell Harrison took responsibility for protecting the hole in the last seconds and the Brisbane Bullets secured a massively needed win on the road in Auckland, their second in NZ this season. Two losses so far (at Boondall to Melbourne United and the Tasmania Jackjumpers) leave Stu Lash’s troops desperate to deliver something to cheer about for the home faithful.
Post-game recap: road win in New Zealand
Brisbane produced one of the early highlights of the NBL26 season with a thrilling 84–83 comeback victory at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland on 23 October 2025. The Bullets trailed by 24 points late in the first half before surging home behind a resilient defensive stand.
Casey Prather led Brisbane with 23 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Replacement import Lamar Patterson added 20 points and six rebounds, while Tyrell Harrison was crucial inside with 16 points, 11 boards and two blocks. Harrison’s last-second defensive play—blocking consecutive Breakers shots from Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Izayah Le’Afa—sealed the victory.
For New Zealand, Sam Mennenga poured in 27 points and six rebounds but was restricted to just two points in the second half as Brisbane’s defence tightened. The final quarter belonged to the Bullets, who outscored the Breakers 16–11 to complete the turnaround.
Looking ahead: Saturday’s clash with Phoenix
The Bullets now host the South East Melbourne Phoenix at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall on Saturday, 25 October 2025, with tip-off at 5:30 pm AEST. The team will aim to back up Thursday’s emotional win with a more controlled four-quarter performance at home.
Head coach Stu Lash, in his first season at the helm, praised his side’s composure in Auckland and emphasised the need for consistency. Imports Casey Prather and Jaylen Adams, along with centre Tyrell Harrison, remain key pieces in Brisbane’s structure.
The Phoenix enter the contest looking to steady their season and boast proven contributors in Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover and John Brown III, supported by guard Owen Foxwell and big man Gorjok Gak. Their athletic frontcourt and perimeter scoring threaten to test Brisbane’s defensive depth.
Containing the enigma, Nathan Sobey
An extraordinary explosive athlete, Nathan Sobey will not consider his stint with the Bullets to be the highlight of his career; however, his 2025 stats suggest he is back to his best, averaging 18 points a game compared to his career season average of 15.4. He comes off a 33 point haul in the Phoenix win against the Kings, where 28 minutes on court only yielded two assists. So the question is, does he need to be contained? His explosive penetration has always been made for an assist mentality yet he often only has eyes for the basket ignoring his open man for the dish.
Why this fixture matters for Brisbane fans
For Bullets supporters across Aspley, North Brisbane and the wider region, Saturday’s game is more than just another fixture – it is a chance to reinforce belief in a rejuvenated side. The Brisbane Entertainment Centre crowd will be eager to ride the energy from Thursday’s comeback, and a second straight win would push the Bullets into early-season contention.
The Phoenix, meanwhile, are still gelling under a refreshed lineup. Brisbane’s challenge will be sustaining defensive pressure and avoiding early lapses that plagued the opening half in Auckland.
Stat breakdown ahead of tip-off
• Rebounding and interior control: Harrison’s 11 boards against the Breakers highlight his importance; he’ll again face a physical test against Brown III and Gak.
• Import impact: Prather’s all-around showing in Auckland set the tone. If Adams and Patterson find rhythm alongside him, Brisbane’s scoring balance improves markedly.
• Phoenix scoring threats: Sobey leads the Phoenix in points this season, while Glover adds perimeter accuracy and Brown III contributes versatile defence.
• Four-quarter focus: Brisbane improved with each period in Auckland; replicating that sustained intensity will be critical at home.
Final thoughts
The Bullets have delivered an encouraging start that gives the local community reason for optimism. The Auckland win demonstrated an ability to close out a contest; now the task is to deliver the same polished, four-quarter performance in front of the home crowd. If the team manages tempo, secures the boards and leans on its import production, Brisbane has a real opportunity to build a positive early-season narrative for fans across Aspley and the greater Brisbane region.
The Phoenix fixture is confirmed for Saturday 25 October 2025 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall. Tip-off is at 4:30 pm AEST.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN (available in Australia via the Disney+ ESPN tile and through ESPN carriage on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Fetch TV), with selected games shown free-to-air on Network 10.
