Game Preview: Taipans v Hawks

Former Orlando Magic forward Admiral Schofield and ex-Houston Rocket Jack McVeigh will go head-to-head with three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee when the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans battle against the Illawarra Hawks this Friday night.

After knocking off the league-leaders United on Wednesday, the Hawks will have to back it up against a Snakes outfit ready to strangle the reigning champions. 

Where and When

Friday, 7 November at the Cairns Convention Centre (6:30pm AEST)

How to Follow

Watch: Live on ESPN

Live Updates: Taipans X

Stats: Box Score

What’s Already Happened

Recent Results
Tasmania JackJumpers (69) v Cairns Taipans (75)
Illawarra Hawks (107) v Melbourne United (93)

The Cairns Taipans snapped their losing streak with a gutsy 75-69 victory over the Tasmania JackJumpers in a grinding Indigenous Round clash at the Silverdome last Saturday afternoon.

Facing his former club for the first time since helping guide them to the 2024 NBL championship, volume scorer Jack McVeigh led the charge for Cairns with 23 points (9-20 FG), six rebounds and two assists.

The travelling side were in control for much of the game, leading 18-15 at quarter-time and 41-30 at the main break before holding off a late JackJumpers surge.

Bruising forward Admiral Schofield was in fine form from mid-range and deep, finishing with 18 points (7-14 FG, 3-7 3P) and six rebounds, while dynamic guard Andrew Andrews was unstoppable from long range — pouring in a career-high 27 points (9-15 FG, 4-4 3P) and three assists. Remarkably, the star trio of McVeigh, Andrews and Schofield combined for 68 of Cairns’ 75 points.

Meanwhile, it's been a rollercoaster week for the Hawks.

After a blowout 60-102 loss to the New Zealand Breakers last Friday, the Hawks responded with a tight 90-88 loss to Bryce Cotton and the 36ers before stunning league leaders Melbourne United 107-93 at home on Wednesday night.

Interior monster McGee — who last played in the NBA in 2024 with the Sacramento Kings — was unstoppable (37 points and 14 rebounds) with the centre combining with point guard Davo Hickey (18 points, seven assists, six rebounds) while Tyler Harvey (17), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (14), QJ Peterson (11) and Mason Peatling (10) finished with double figures.

McGee has recorded 10+ rebounds in six consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

Now, after defeating their grand final foes from last season, the reigning premiers head north to face a gritty Taipans outfit. 

Player to Watch - Mojave King

After being thrown into the fire against the Brisbane Bullets 24 hours after he officially signed as the latest Taipan — five years after joining the club as a Next Star in NBL21.

King racked up 22 minutes two days later against the JackJumpers, playing a crucial role on the defensive end (six rebounds) against a physical Tasmanian outfit.

With shooting guard Reyne Smith (foot) ruled out of the contest early, King stepped up in his absence, playing his role while star trio Jack McVeigh, Andrew Andrews and Admiral Schofield shouldered the offensive load.

The 23-year old’s explosive two-way running combined with his length and athleticism gives him the ability to guard multiple positions — with his versatility key in the matchup against Hawks. 

“

We asked for more fight after the Brisbane game. Offensively we did well but we didn’t show the discipline and grit on the defensive end. To travel down the following day and show that discipline and grit against a tough Tasmania team.

It was the first time we put both ends together with what we wanted to do defensively and where we wanted the possessions to go on the offensive end — it showed with only one turnover after three quarters.

The Hawks are tough, they have an NBA-caliber centre, they’re a championship team and they’re well coached. We have to control the post, if we get into a foot race with Illawarra we’re not going to go well. We have to control the tempo, get the right shot selection, look after possession and lock it down defensively. We need 40 minutes of playing basketball at both ends and everyone playing their part.

Head Coach Adam Forde

The Lineups

Taipans

PG – Andrew Andrews / Kyle Adnam 

SG – Lachlan Barker / Mojave King / Lloyd McVeigh

SF – Jack McVeigh / Mawot Mag

PF – Admiral Schofield

C – Marcus Lee / Kyrin Galloway / Jed Richardson

Illawarra Bawks

PG – Tyler Harvey / QJ Peterson / Biwali Bayles

SG – William Hickey / Daniel Grida

SF – Mason Peatling / Todd Blanchfield

PF – Wani Swaka Lo Buluk

C – JaVale McGee / Harry Froling

Ins and Outs

Taipans

Ins – Lachlan Barker, Mojave King, Lloyd McVeigh, Jed Richardson

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

Hawks

Ins – N/A

Outs – Jonah Bolden (groin), Sam Froling (achilles)