Game Preview: Taipans v Bullets

Queensland pride will be on the line again Thursday night when the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets renew their heated state rivalry at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

The latest chapter of the Sunshine State showdown promises no shortage of intensity, with both sides eager to claim bragging rights and build momentum heading into the heart of the NBL season.

In the first fixture of a road double-header across Round Seven, Taipans will be looking to make it two wins from two matches following their 83-82 victory over the Bullets in Round Two. 

After starting his NBL career as a Next Star with the Taipans, shooting guard Mojave King now returns to Cairns to bolster the injury-riddled side. 

With sad news that Alex Higgins-Titsha's left wrist requires surgery, King is set to replace Higgins-Titsha for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The 23-year old continues his fascinating basketball journey in his return to Cairns as he looks to boost the side's perimeter defence and three-point shooting. 

Where and When

Thursday, 30 October at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre (6:30pm AEST)

How to Follow

Watch: Live on ESPN

Live Updates: Taipans X

Stats: Box Score

What’s Already Happened

Recent Results

Cairns Taipans (78) v Melbourne United (110)
Brisbane Bullets (86) v SEM Phoenix (109)
New Zealand Breakers (83) v Brisbane Bullets (84) 

In their most recent fixture, the Taipans were unable to break United’s undefeated streak to start the 2025-26 season, falling at the Cairns Convention Centre. 

Despite sniper Reyne Smith’s best efforts on the offensive end, Cairns couldn’t generate enough scoring power to stay in the contest.

The Melbourne trio of Jesse Edwards (10 points, five rebounds), Milton Doyle (10 points, six rebounds), and Finn Delany (11 points, six rebounds) proved too strong, with the Taipans still missing Australian Boomer Jack McVeigh and big man Sam Waardenburg.

Despite his injury, slasher Higgins-Titsha still managed to finish with 10 points and 2-of-3 from behind the arc.

Californian big man Marcus Lee returned to the starting five, producing eight points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks against his former club.

Mawot Mag brought defensive intensity, logging a season-high 28 minutes and grabbing 10 rebounds, two steals and a block.

Brisbane head into the rival match having lost each of its last six home games, while the Taipans have won seven of its last eight away games against Brisbane.

Tyrell Harrison enters round seven ranked second in the league for field-goal percentage (69.0%) — and memories of last season’s clash in Cairns, where he hauled in a career-best 20 rebounds, will add extra motivation.

Scoring machine Casey Prather continues to light up the scoreboard — ranking second in points per game (24.3) with 2022 NBL MVP Jaylen Adams orchestrating the offence, sitting fourth in assists (5.6).

Cairns ranks first in the league for defending opponent three-point percentage (28.2%) and second for three-point attempts per game (31.6).

Player to Watch

With Cairns in short supply of forwards, shot blocker Kyrin Galloway will be called upon to play a key role in the derby.

A natural stretch four standing at 203cm, Galloway was called upon to start back-to-back games at the five against the Adelaide 36ers and Perth Wildcats — helping to keep fellow big man Marcus Lee out of early foul trouble while shooting 4-8 from three and grabbing 17 rebounds across both fixtures.

Coming up against a smaller Bullets side will be a game where Galloway has an opportunity to impact with blocks, rebounds and corner threes. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii before moving to Australia and growing up in Townsville, the 26-year old will be eager to impact the battle for Queensland bragging rights.  

"Taking care of the some of the defensive assignments, while understanding what we need to do to look after possession and get the ball moving on the offensive end.

“Naturally, it's a struggle with players out but with injuries that provides opportunities. That’s what we’re really trying to get across to the guys, the increase in minutes and production doesn’t mean you need to step outside of your strengths.

"We've got guys making plays that aren’t necessarily in their skill set. With outs provides a chance to step up and we’ll make sure the guys capitalise on it and use this time to relish on that opportunity."

The Lineups

Taipans

G – Andrew Andrews / Kyle Adnam  / Lloyd McVeigh

G – Reyne Smith / Lachlan Barker

F – Mawot Mag / Mojave King

F – Admiral Schofield /  Kyrin Galloway 

C – Marcus Lee

Bullets

G – Jaylen Adams / Dakota Mathias

G – Casey Prather / Lamar Patterson / Dakota Mathias

G – Taine Murray / Tristan Devers

F – Alex Ducas / Jack Purchase / Jensen Bradtke

C – Tyrell Harrison / Tohi Smith-Milner / Callum Dalton

Ins and Outs

Taipans

Ins – Jack McVeigh, Mojave King, Lachlan Barker, Lloyd McVeigh

Outs – Sam Waardenburg (ankle), Kody Stattmann (hamstring), Alex Higgins-Titsha (hand)

Bullets

Ins – Dakota Mathias

Outs – Tohi Smith-Milner (finger), Sam McDaniel (ankle), Mitch Norton (knee)