The upcoming NBL Blitz game between Illawarra and New Zealand has been cancelled after the Breakers’ travelling party returned four positive COVID tests.

All New Zealand players and staff are double vaccinated.

The decision to cancel the game on Thursday, November 25, at the WIN Entertainment Centre has been made in line with the NBL’s health and safety protocols.

The health and safety of the players, coaches, clubs, staff and fans is the League’s number one priority.

The NBL will continue to follow the advice of governments and health authorities and further testing will be carried out on any individuals impacted or those deemed close contacts.

Each team will receive three and a half points for the NBL Blitz standings.

The New Zealand Breakers statement

A positive COVID test has forced all members of the Sky Sport Breakers touring party to self-isolate in their inner-city Melbourne Apartments since Sunday night.

As a result, the warm-up game with the Illawarra Hawks scheduled for Thursday in Wollongong will no longer occur.

All players and staff associated with the Breakers in Australia are double vaccinated.

However, one of the touring group felt unwell immediately following Saturday night’s win against the SEM Phoenix.

As a precaution, he took a rapid antigen test at midnight, and it came back negative.

Still feeling unwell the following day, he had a PCR test which subsequently showed a positive result for COVID 19.

As close contacts of the person with the positive result, the whole touring group was required to self-isolate and take COVID tests.

All 39 people in the touring group associated with the Breakers, including children, underwent PCR tests yesterday, which uncovered a further three positive results.

That means the touring group will remain in lockdown isolation and undergo further PCR testing until further notice.

The four COVID positive members of the touring group have not required hospitalization.

“Our team has followed best practices, but unfortunately, a number of individuals have experienced symptoms,” says Breakers owner Matt Walsh who is with the team in Australia.

“We will continue to follow the advice of medical professionals and the NBL and look forward to being back on the court soon.”

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