Harrell back and on the double double against Breakers

• Montrezl Harrell returned from suspension with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists
• Adelaide 36ers break a four-game losing streak with a 111-94 win over the New Zealand Breakers.
• Kendric Davis led Adelaide with 36 points, nine assists, and five rebounds

He's back — and in a big way. Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell had a 20-11 double-double to help the Adelaide 36ers snap a four-game losing streak, beating the New Zealand Breakers 111-94 (Game Centre) at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday, December 14, 2024.

Harrell’s strong performance, paired with Kendric Davis’ explosive game, ended the 36ers’ four-game losing streak and handed the Breakers their sixth straight defeat.

Harrell was back after serving a three-game suspension for his part in an on-court scuffle and a bench shoving match with a fan during a heated NBL clash against Melbourne United on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

Harrell recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in his first game back, providing a dominant presence inside for the 36ers. Davis, also returning from suspension, led Adelaide with 36 points, nine assists, and five rebounds as the duo combined for 57 points, 15 rebounds, and 14 assists to secure the win.

"We wanted to bring energy and play our style," Harrell said post-game. "I think we did that tonight, and it feels great to be back out there helping the team."

Adelaide controlled the game early, thanks to Harrell’s inside scoring and strong second-quarter shooting. They hit seven three-pointers in the second quarter alone to build a nine-point halftime lead, with Harrell and Davis contributing 28 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in the first half.

New Zealand made a strong push in the third quarter, cutting a 13-point deficit to just two points by the end of the period. Parker Jackson-Cartwright led the Breakers’ charge with 11 quick points, including three triples, while Karim Lopez added energy with key plays on both ends.

However, Harrell sparked a dominant fourth-quarter effort for Adelaide. A three-point play early in the final term pushed the 36ers’ lead to seven, and Davis sealed the result with a deep three-pointer late to extend the margin to 13. Adelaide outscored New Zealand 30-15 in the fourth to secure the 17-point win.

Adelaide improved to 7-8 on the season, with Jarell Martin adding 16 points, Isaac Humphries contributing 10 points and five rebounds, and Nick Marshall finishing with nine points and four assists. The Breakers, now 5-11, were led by Jackson-Cartwright’s 25 points and eight assists, with Matt Mooney scoring 19 points and Lopez adding 12 points and six rebounds.

Adelaide now has a week to prepare for a road clash with the South East Melbourne Phoenix next Saturday, while New Zealand returns to Spark Arena on Friday to host the Sydney Kings for the first time since November 2.