Game Preview: Kings v Taipans

The Kenfrost Home Cairns Taipans are ready to embrace the challenge of facing defending champions Sydney Kings in their 2026-27 season opener at Afterpay Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Sydney will raise its sixth championship banner before tip-off, but Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde said his side's focus will remain firmly on the task at hand.

“It's on their home court where they're going to be pretty hyped after lifting the banner,” Forde said.

“So, it's going to be important that we stay focused on the things we want to hang our hat on, while making some solid adjustments to how they play.

“They're the defending champs, they're well coached and they've got great talent throughout the roster.”

While the Kings will celebrate last season's championship, the side taking the court on Sunday will look considerably different to the one that defeated the Adelaide 36ers in a five-game 2025-26 Championship Series.

Among the changes are Jaylin Galloway and Shaun Bruce, who have swapped Sydney for Cairns and the Kings have also farewelled Tim Soares, Bul Kuol and Kouat Noi during the off-season.

With two former Kings now at his disposal and a mountain of inside knowledge, Forde admitted he has been picking the brains of Bruce and Galloway ahead of Sunday's clash.

“It'd be crazy not to, right?” Forde said.

“You want to pick up plays and tendencies, especially when the league is so heavily scouted.

“There are only 10 teams in the competition, and we play each other three or four times. A lot of teams run similar things, so what you really want to focus on with the scout is, if A happens, what's the flow-on effect.”

For Bruce, Sunday's opener will carry some extra significance as he returns to Sydney for the first time in Taipans colours.

“I’ve played on some good teams in Sydney, but we have a team here that can compete with anyone in the league,” Bruce said.

“We want to kick it off on the right note on Sunday.”

Forde knows doing that will require a complete 40-minute performance against the reigning champions.

Rather than getting caught up in the occasion or looking too far ahead in the new season, he wants his players to concentrate on winning each possession as it comes.

“With this group particularly, with guys like Jack (McVeigh), Shaun Bruce and even Sunday (Dech), there's a real mindset of what these guys need to do without looking too far ahead,” Forde said.

“You play each possession for what it is. The mindset for us is about being obsessed with the process and stacking days.

“If we start worrying about game 33 now, we're going to miss what's presented right now in front of us.”

The Taipans will now look to turn that mindset into a winning start and spoil Sydney's championship celebration when their 2026-27 season gets underway on Sunday.