The New Zealand Breakers returned to the winner's circle with a 106-95 home win over the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Shaking off the memory of a heavy loss earlier in the week, the Breakers rediscovered their offensive flow, led by a dominant performance from their import big man. New Zealand established control in the paint early, scoring at will and drawing fouls, which opened up opportunities for their guards later in the game. Illawarra stayed within striking distance through three quarters thanks to energetic play, but the Breakers pulled away in the final period with a series of defensive stops and efficient offensive sets. The victory was crucial for stabilizing New Zealand's season and keeping them in touch with the top six on the NBL ladder.