The New Zealand Breakers edged out Melbourne United in a nail-biting 97-95 thriller at Spark Arena on Friday, January 30, 2026. A last-second defensive stand sealed the dramatic win for the Breakers in a contest that featured multiple lead changes in the final minutes. Melbourne United, the defending champions, looked poised to steal a road victory after erasing a double-digit deficit in the third quarter, setting up a tense finale. The Breakers' star guard hit a crucial step-back jumper with under a minute to play to put the home side ahead for good, before a frantic final possession saw Melbourne's potential game-winner rim out at the buzzer. This result provided a massive boost to New Zealand's playoff hopes, handing a key conference rival a damaging loss and showcasing the team's resilience in clutch moments.