New Zealand Breakers without Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Digi Mart USA News: Parker Jackson-Cartwright was in MVP-level form before suffering an injury, and the Breakers say he is impossible to replace. Through the first five games, he averaged 26.6 points and 9.4 assists, including a 30-point night against Tasmania and a 13-assist opener, as New Zealand went 3-2.
The injury soon took its toll, both when he was sidelined and when he tried to play through it. New Zealand went 1-2 without Jackson-Cartwright, then lost all four games after his return.
Rather than dwell on the team’s bad luck, Breakers coach Gordie Herbert said the group had a simple choice. “Injuries are part of the game.
You’re going to face adversity at different times of the season. It depends how you deal with it,” Herbert said.
“We can feel sorry for ourselves, or we can use this to get better.”
That task is made harder by how much Jackson-Cartwright has meant to the club. “You’ve got to give him credit,” Herbert said.
“He came back and tried to play with load management and minutes restrictions, and really sacrificed himself. He’s a foundation piece and has been for this club for three to four years.
You don’t replace him as a player. You don’t replace him as a person.”
Much of the burden now falls on Sam Mennenga, who is already producing a career-best season at 23.3 points and 8.9 rebounds a game. In the nine games Jackson-Cartwright played this season, Mennenga averaged 19.7 points and 7.2 rebounds.
In the three games without him, those numbers jumped to 34.3 points and 14.0 rebounds, including a 40-point, 18-rebound performance.
Breakers President of Basketball Operations Dillon Boucher also highlighted Carlin Davison as a player stepping up. Davison averaged 6.8 points and 1.4 assists in 18 minutes across the first five games.
Over the past seven games, those numbers have risen to 11.4 points and 10.3 assists in 27 minutes, including four double-doubles.
Import Josiah Jordan remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Herbert says he will not be rushed back. Big man Charles Bediako will be a game-day decision due to a back injury.
Jackson-Cartwright has told the club he wants to stay in New Zealand while he considers rehab options, which could include treatment in the US. Boucher said he is “100 per cent” part of the Breakers’ future.
Friday’s Round 9 clash between the Breakers and Bullets tips off at 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.
