Breakers guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright was involved in a melee that sent an official tumbling in his side’s Christmas Day loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers.

In the closing minutes of the 97-82 defeat, Jackson-Cartwright was knocked to the floor by former Breaker Reuben Te Rangi – at which point the point guard leapt to his feet and moved towards Te Rangi.

Officials stepped in between the pair and one referee was knocked to the floor, but conceded Jackson-Cartwright had not intentionally made contact with him as his eyes were on Te Rangi, who won two championships with the New Zealand franchise in 2013 and 2015.

The Breakers' Parker Jackson-Cartwright is restrained by referees after an altercation with Reuben Te Rangi of the JackJumpers. Photo / Getty Images

The bust-up was defused and neither player was ejected from the game. A video analysis concluded free throws should be taken for both sides.

The loss was the eighth in a row for the Breakers, who now sit ninth on the NBL ladder – their next match will be an away game in Cairns against the Taipans on Tuesday.