NBA pre-season gets underway on Saturday, with the NBL's New Zealand Breakers facing off against three NBA teams over the next week.
The Breakers currently sit second on the NBL ladder after picking up wins over the Brisbane Bullets and South East Melbourne Phoenix in their opening two games of the season, before jetting off to the US.
First up on US soil, the Breakers will take on Patty Mills and the Utah Jazz on Saturday, October 5, followed by a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, October 8, before closing out their tour against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, October 11.
This year's NBLxNBA pre-season games mark the sixth time in eight years NBL teams have traveled to the US for NBA pre-season, with the Breakers featuring in five prior pre-season games.
The Sporting News has you covered with everything you need to know about the games, including TV times, live stream options and more.
MORE: Former NBA big man Tacko Fall joining New Zealand Breakers
New Zealand Breakers NBA pre-season schedule 2024
The Breakers will face the Jazz first up on Saturday morning.
| Game | Time (AEST) | Location | TV channel | Live Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Jazz vs NZ Breakers | 11:00 a.m. | Delta Center | ESPN/Kayo | NBA League Pass |
| OKC Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers | 10:00 a.m. | Wells Fargo Center | ESPN/Kayo | NBA League Pass |
| OKC Thunder vs. NZ Breakers | 11:00 a.m. | BOK Center | ESPN/Kayo | NBA League Pass |
WATCH: Every game of the NBA season live on NBA League Pass
How to watch New Zealand Breakers NBA pre-season games
Here's how to catch every game of the Breakers NBLxNBA pre-season.
Utah Jazz vs New Zealand Breakers
(11:00 a.m. AEST tip-off)
- TV channel: ESPN/Kayo
- Live stream: NBA League Pass and NBL+
The Breakers' first game is a must-watch for Aussie fans with Patty Mills set to make his first appearance in a Jazz uniform.
Mills joined the Jazz on a one-year deal in free agency, re-uniting with former Spurs assistant coach Will Hardy who is in his third season as head coach of the Jazz.
MORE: Dyson Daniels sets lofty defensive goal for this season
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Zealand Breakers
(10:00 a.m. AEST tip-off)
- TV channel: ESPN/Kayo
- Live stream: NBA League Pass and NBL+
The Breakers' toughest test of the pre-season tour comes against the reloaded Philadelphia 76ers, who formed one of the league's most dangerous Big 3s, following the offseason free agency acquisition of Paul George, to pair with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Zealand Breakers
(11:00 a.m. AEST tip-off)
- TV channel: NESPN/Kayo
- Live stream: NBA League Pass and NBL+
While Josh Giddey may no longer be a member of the Thunder, there's still an Aussie waving the flag in Oklahoma City with Alex Ducas joining the squad on a two-way deal.
The 23-year-old Western Australia native spent the past five years playing college basketball at St. Mary's, joining the long list of Aussies to make the NBA from Moraga, including Jock Landale, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.
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New Zealand Breakers roster 2024
| No. | Position | Age | Player | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Guard | 22 | Alex McNaught | 6-1 |
| 6 | Guard | 29 | Parker Jackson Cartwright | 5-11 |
| 7 | Guard | 22 | Mojave King | 6-5 |
| 8 | Guard | 32 | Mitch McCarron | 6-2 |
| 5 | Guard | 20 | Kaia Isaac | 6-1 |
| 13 | Guard | 28 | Matthew Mooney | 6-3 |
| 12 | Forward | 24 | Max Darling | 6-6 |
| 1 | Forward | 17 | Karim Lopez | 6-8 |
| 21 | Forward | 21 | Carlin Davison | 6-5 |
| 43 | Forward | 29 | Jonah Bolden | 6-10 |
| 2 | Forward | 24 | Sean Bairstow | 6-8 |
| 22 | Center | 30 | Dane Pineau | 6-9 |
| 3 | Center | 23 | Sam Mennenga | 6-9 |
| Center | 28 | Tacko Fall | 7-5 | |
| 33 | Center | 27 | Freddie Gillespie | 6-9 |
