'Sob-Three' drops 28 in crucial Phoenix home win

• Sobey with the three-point dagger in the clutch to end it
• South East Melbourne making a NBL25 playoffs push
• Breakers out of the NBL Summer Shootout

South East Melbourne Phoenix torched the nets and the New Zealand Breakers, notching a 102-89 victory in their long-awaited return to the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne on January 18, 2025 in round 17 of NBL25.

The Phoenix, riding a wave of momentum with nine wins in their last 11, electrified the home crowd with a blistering 15-2 opening salvo that set the tone for a high-octane affair. It was the Breakers' NBL Summer Shootout nominated game, and they didn't get it done.

From the opening tip, South East Melbourne showcased the form that has propelled them into finals contention. Their relentless attack punished the travel-weary Breakers, who were playing their fourth game in 11 days and looked a step slow from the outset.

As the first quarter unfolded, the Phoenix's advantage ballooned to 30-17, fuelled by a scorching 69% shooting clip as well as 10 points off New Zealand's five turnovers. The home side's transition game was in full flight, with Nathan Sobey orchestrating the offense to perfection.

The lead swelled to 19 points early in the second quarter, threatening to turn the contest into a rout.

However, the Breakers, showing the resilience that has defined a season full of heads wins, refused to go quietly. A spirited 12-2 run, sparked by the imposing presence of Tacko Fall in the paint and the sweet shooting of 17-year-old NBL Next Stars prodigy Karim Lopez, trimmed the deficit to just five points at halftime. The momentum shift was palpable, with New Zealand outscoring the Phoenix 25-11 to close the half.

The third quarter saw a tug-of-war unfold, with neither team able to land a decisive blow. It wasn't until the final moments of the period that South East Melbourne reasserted their dominance, closing on an 8-0 run punctuated by back-to-back triples from Joe Wieskamp.

Statistically, the Phoenix's offensive juggernaut continued to roll, marking their ninth consecutive game of 100-plus points. Their 50% shooting efficiency, coupled with a 25-15 assist advantage, highlighted the team's unselfish play and ability to create high-percentage looks.

Nathan Sobey emerged as the evening's standout performer, pouring in 28 points while dishing out nine assists. His ability to penetrate the Breakers' defense and either finish at the rim or find open teammates was the catalyst for the Phoenix's offensive explosion.

While Sobey stole the headlines, it was a balanced attack that ultimately sealed the victory for South East Melbourne. Joe Wieskamp contributed 17 points, Matt Hurt added 14 points and eight rebounds, and three other players reached double figures in scoring.

For the Breakers, Matt Mooney's 20-point outburst, including four fourth-quarter triples, kept hope alive until the final minutes. The emergence of Karim Lopez, who matched Mooney's 20 points on efficient 4-from-7 shooting from beyond the arc, was a silver lining.

Looking ahead, the Phoenix will aim to maintain their sizzling form as they prepare to host the Sydney Kings in a crucial matchup. With the playoffs looming, South East Melbourne will be eager to avenge their two previous losses to the Kings and solidify their position in the top four.

Meanwhile, the Breakers will relish a six-day break before returning home to face the Brisbane Bullets. With their record now standing at 9-16, New Zealand will need a miracle to make the finals.