Breakers to play seven games in Auckland

The Breakers willmake their long awaited return to New Zealand on May 20 when they play the Sydney Kings, the Australian NBL has announced.

The Kiwi franchise was always facing a mid to late-may homecoming, despite the scheduled opening of the trans-tasman bubble on Monday, with the players said to be unhappy it was not sooner.

But that timeframe was confirmed yesterday following the release of the final six rounds of the schedule for the regular season, which includes seven home games for the Breakers.

The team will play seven games in Auckland on top of their six home games at the Silverdome in Launceston and one in Bendigo.

‘‘We couldn’t be more excited to have our guys come home,’’ Breakers owner Mattwalsh said.

‘‘Our priority has been to get our players and staff home to their families as soon as possible. We wouldn’t have got through this very challenging season without the support of our families and friends and our amazing Breaker Nation. We are very grateful that we get to finish our season playing seven home games in front of the best fans in the world.’’

It’s been 427 days and counting since the Breakers last played a game in New Zealand – against the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Christchurch on February 14 last year.

You have to go back to January 31, 2020, for the last time the Breakers played at Auckland’s Spark Arena, which is likely to host their upcoming games, though that is yet to be confirmed.

The Breakers have been based in Australia since before Christmas and captain Tom Abercrombie welcomed news the team is heading home.

‘‘The prospect of going back to New Zealand, getting some home games is obviously very exciting,’’ he said from their latest Australian base in Launceston, Tasmania.

Abercrombie has not seen his wife or three children since mid-January, while shooting guard Corey Webster has missed both his children’s birthdays as well as his son’s first day at school during the team’s time across the Tasman.

‘‘It’s tough being away, they’re growing up so quick, they’re at an age where they grow and change every week,’’ he said.

Webster, a three-time ANBL champion, emphasised the importance of playing at home.

‘‘Home crowd atmosphere is a huge thing in sports; you feed off your crowd’s energy, you’re playing in front of your friends, your family, and your loyal fans, and that all adds to the atmosphere and the way you feel.’’

The Breakers play 10 more times in Australia, beginning with a game against the Bullets in Launceston tonight, before coming home.

‘‘We couldn’t be more excited to have our guys come home.’’ Mikewalsh

Breakers owner