An undermanned Breakers side have been put to the sword in their opening game of the NBL season.
Photo: Scott Barbour/Photosport Ltd 2021
Minus head coach Dan Shamir and key players Tom Abercrombie and Yanni Wetzell, after nine members of the wider Phoenix touring party tested positive to Covid-19, the Breakers have been beaten 89-65 by the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne.
They only scored two points in the first five minutes and trailed 44-23 at halftime.
It was a tough night for assistant Mody Maor to assume the head coaching role but he does hope Shamir is back with the group as of Monday along with Wetzell.
"No it wasn't (what we were hoping for)," Maor said.
"We knew there was a chance it could play out this way, we'd be a step slower because of all the excuses that we can throw at it.
"But honestly we were hoping for something better and I believe this group has a lot more in it. Hopefully we will show that next week."
Phoenix guard Xavier Munford led all scorers with 27 points, while Finn Delany was the Breakers' best with 18, after being held scoreless in the first-half.
The two teams will meet again in Melbourne on Friday night.
