The Breakers have missed the Australian NBL playoffs for the second time in seven seasons.
Following the Breakers' 88-70 win over Melbourne on Friday night, the team needed them to topple Perth this afternoon to be eligible.
But the Wildcats won 96-94 in a thrilling match which went right down to the wire, clinching Perth's record 31st consecutive appearance in the post-season.
The Breakers finished the season in fifth spot with a 14-14 record in a season dominated with injuries to key players.
Breakers forward Thomas Abercrombie was disappointed that the Auckland-based club missed out on the playoffs.
"We gave ourselves a chance and unfortunately we had to rely on some other results and it didn't happen for us," Abercrombie told Newshub.
The Adelaide 36ers, Illawarra Hawks, Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats have all qualified for the finals.
NBL'S BEST-OF-THREE SEMI-FINALS SERIES
Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks
G1: Thursday Feb 16, Adelaide
G2: Sunday Feb 19, Wollongong
G3: Thursday Feb 23, Adelaide (if needed)
Head-to-head season record: 3-1 Illawarra
Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats
G1: Friday Feb 17, Cairns
G2: Monday Feb 20, Perth
G3: Friday Feb 24, Cairns (if needed)
Head-to-head season record: 3-1 Perth
Newshub,
