A packed Pat Rafter Arena got its first taste of Brisbane Bullets basketball with a comeback worth staying loud for, as the home side overturned an 11-point deficit to beat the New Zealand Breakers 88-85.
More than 5,000 spectators filled the Tennyson venue for the Bullets’ first game there, with the roof open as Brisbane began its NBL27 season under new coach Will Weaver. The sold-out crowd watched the contest swing sharply after New Zealand controlled much of the opening half and threatened to spoil the occasion.
Lithuanian recruit Arnas Velička instead gave Brisbane supporters a debut to remember. The 26-year-old finished with 23 points, 14 assists and five rebounds, connecting on five of nine attempts from three-point range in 35 minutes. His 14 assists were the most by a player on NBL debut, while he also became the first player in league history to record 14 assists and five made three-pointers in the same game.
Tennyson Finds Its Voice
New Zealand stretched its lead to 11 early in the third quarter before Brisbane changed the tone of the night. The Bullets reeled off the next 10 points and eventually carried a two-point advantage into the final term, outscoring the Breakers 43-29 over the closing stretch.
Velička later credited the home support with helping Brisbane lift as the game wore on. He said the arena already felt packed before play began and was struck by the level of excitement surrounding the Bullets’ first appearance at the venue.
The atmosphere continued to build as Brisbane clawed its way back. By the time Velička knocked down his fifth three-pointer of the night, the Bullets had pushed ahead by eight with seven minutes remaining. The Breakers still had chances late, but Brisbane did enough to hold on after Max Mackinnon converted crucial free throws and the defence produced the stop needed to close out the game.
Velička and Harrison Click Early
Velička’s night was made more effective by an immediate connection with centre Tyrell Harrison, who finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and four blocks on nine-of-13 shooting. Seven of Velička’s assists went to Harrison, with the pair repeatedly finding opportunities around the basket.
Nate Hinton added 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Mackinnon contributed nine points and seven rebounds. Brisbane also pulled down 15 offensive rebounds, an important source of second chances in a game where both sides struggled at the free-throw line.
Velička arrived in Brisbane after an MVP-winning season with Neptūnas in Lithuania, where he averaged 14.4 points, seven assists, four rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 41 per cent from three-point range. He had also twice led the EuroCup in assists before joining the Bullets.
Weaver had recruited him for his ability to control games and create for those around him. One match into the season, Brisbane’s new point guard had delivered a record-setting debut in front of a sold-out Tennyson crowd. The Bullets will next face the Illawarra Hawks at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Published 23-September-2026
