In a week buzzing with the news of Abercrombie’s impending curtain call, the Breakers (13-14) practically punched their ticket to the finals, leaving only a mathematical miracle to deny them a spot before their showdown with Adelaide.
The spotlight shone bright on import sensation Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who dazzled with 27 points and eight assists, stealing the show and propelling the home team to glory.
Support acts Zylan Cheatham and Izayah Le’afa weren’t far behind, contributing 19 and 15 points respectively, ensuring the Breakers’ firepower was on full display.
Club icon Abercrombie coming off the bench added his own magic to the mix, sinking a heart-stopping triple at the halftime buzzer, keeping fans on the edge of their seats and dreams of a fairy-tale finish alive.
The veteran’s eyes are firmly on the prize, a fifth championship ring, as he dodges the spotlight, praising the team’s focus and fighting spirit against a gritty Brisbane side in a post-game press conference.
Meanwhile, Brisbane, sitting in sixth, faces a nail-biting wait to secure their first post-season berth since 2019. The Bullets’ fate now hangs in the balance, reliant on other results following their tumble in New Zealand, despite Josh Bannan’s heroic 29-point performance.
Bullets coach Justin Schueller lamented the loss, pinning their finals hopes on the mercy of the basketball gods after a critical lapse late in the second quarter proved costly.
As the Breakers celebrated, Brisbane’s locker room was a mix of hope and frustration, with their post-season dreams teetering on the edge.
Jackson-Cartwright, an MVP contender, was in his element, orchestrating the Breakers’ early dominance and sealing the deal with pivotal plays down the stretch, ensuring Abercrombie’s farewell tour hits the high notes as they march confidently into the finals.
With the Breakers on fire and Abercrombie’s swan song extended, the stage is set for an electrifying climax to the NBL season.
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