Bullets overpower McVeigh and the Taipans in fiery Queensland derby

In a game that featured 25 lead changes through the opening half, the Taipans came out aggressively, attacking the rim and matching Brisbane’s physicality early.

McVeigh’s competitiveness set the tone, trading blows with Bullets star Casey Prather in a thrilling first-quarter duel that saw Cairns edge ahead 27-25 after the first break — their highest-scoring opening quarter of the season.

The Taipans competed hard in the opening half, but fell away in the third quarter as Brisbane’s offence found rhythm behind three-time NBL champion Prather and point guard Jaylen Adams.

The hosts outscored the Taipans 34-18 in the final quarter to seize control and secure their first home win of the season. 

McVeigh was superb in his return from a wrist injury, finishing with a game-high 23 points (9-17 FG), five rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Andrew Andrews added 11 points and 10 assists — making him just the third player in the NBL this season to record double-digit assists in a game. Andrews’ 5.88 assists per game ranks third-highest across a season in Taipans history, behind only Scott Machado’s 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns. Kyrin Galloway provided a spark off the bench with 12 points (4-7 FG).

The Taipans’ ball movement was a bright spot in defeat, recording 30 assists — the fourth time in club history they’ve reached that mark, and only the third during the 40-minute era. It also marked the first time Cairns have tallied 30+ assists on the road, and just the second such game under Head Coach Adam Forde, the other also coming against Brisbane (Round 21, 2021/22). 

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde

“Momentum swings really killed us. Five minutes to go in the second we’re up five points. Then we finish the half down 10. We started to get momentum again in the third quarter. We bring it back to a nine point margin. With 40 seconds to go to make it a single digit game, we had two turnovers.

"We had a chance in that window to bring it back, but it was too easy and Brisbane were able to get what they wanted.”

“What we lack is that edge at the moment. We’ve got a lot of nice guys that care. They don’t like losing by 30 and they feel it. But you can play hard without talent and get wins. You need to be able to play hard and there's an edge to that. We need more of that and that’s what we’re trying to seek.

"With injuries and players out, I’ve always looked at it as an opportunity for others to come in and take those minutes, play like their life is on the line and it can be a moment in a player’s career to establish themselves. You need a level of edge about you to have that desire and I don’t think we have enough desire.”

For the Bullets, Prather continued his MVP-calibre form with 21 points (8-18 FG), 10 rebounds and two assists, while big man Tyrell Harrison delivered 21 points (9-13 FG), eight rebounds and two blocks. Jaylen Adams was instrumental, posting 20 points (6-10 FG) and seven assists.

Debutant Dakota Mathias impressed in his first NBL appearance, providing perimeter shooting and composure for the hosts after joining from the NBA G League’s Indiana Mad Ants — the same team Taipans guard Mojave King previously represented. King was another to make his season-debut with the former NBL Next Star returning to the Taipans as a Nominated Injury Replacement for prodigy Alex Higgins-Titsha.

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans will now turn their attention to the second leg of their road double-header, travelling south to face the Tasmania JackJumpers at the Silverdome in Launceston on Sunday afternoon. The Taipans will then return home to the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday, 7 November, when they host the Illawarra Hawks. Grab your tickets for the 6:30pm clash HERE.