Breakers upbeat despite PJC rib scare

The New Zealand Breakers remain optimistic Parker Jackson-Cartwright will bounce back quickly after copping a knock to the ribs at the CODE Sports NBL Blitz.

While there were early concerns he may have aggravated the rib injury that kept him sidelined for over a month last season, coach Petteri Koponen has moved to ease fears.

“Fortunately it was the other side. He’s going to Melbourne for the opening of the season, but is going to have an MRI,” Koponen told The Post.

“The medics so far don’t expect it’s serious, though he’s going to be sore for a while. It was a scary moment, especially after what happened last year.”

Jackson-Cartwright remains central to New Zealand’s championship ambitions this season, having locked in a new two-year deal with the club back in June.

He was firmly in the hunt for league MVP honours during NBL25 before the injury derailed his campaign, at one point even rated the top player in the competition by Derek Rucker.

The Breakers will be desperate to have their star guard back to full fitness after producing a dominant showing at the Blitz, where they dispatched South East Melbourne and Cairns to secure the Loggins-Bruton Cup in Canberra.

“We talk about collective basketball, and there were moments we had all five players present on court, reacting together,” Koponen said.

“Those are things we work on every day, and there were moments we had that, and moments we were still kind of watching.

“But overall I was pretty satisfied with the effort and competitive spirit. Without this you don’t have a chance. That’s the base.”

Izaiah Brockington impressed as one of the standout performers for the refreshed Breakers roster and looks poised to form a dangerous backcourt pairing with a fully fit Jackson-Cartwright.

“He’s (Brockington) explosive and has already shown he can get to the paint, and that’s what we’re asking from him,” Koponen added.

The New Zealand team will now head to Japan for pre-season games against two B.LEAGUE teams on September 12 and 13.

Read the full story here >> Parker Jackson-Cartwright injury only concern as Breakers blitz their pre-season opener