Game Preview: Taipans v JackJumpers

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans return to the Cairns Convention Centre Saturday fresh off an upset win over the reigning champions Illawarra Hawks, with fan favourite Sam Waardenburg finally making his first appearance of the season.

Australian Boomer Jack McVeigh also re-joins the line-up as the Snakes look to back up their 75–69 road win over the Tasmania JackJumpers in their last meeting.

Suited up in special edition Space Jam jerseys on home floor, the Taipans are ready to put on a show.

Where and When

Saturday, 13 December at the Cairns Convention Centre (4:30pm AEST)

How to Follow

Watch: Live on ESPN

Live Updates: Taipans X

Stats: Box Score

What’s Already Happened

Recent Results

Cairns Taipans (93) v Illawarra Hawks (76)
New Zealand Breakers (99) v Tasmania JackJumpers (86)
SEM Phoenix (81) v Tasmania JackJumpers (89)

The Taipans walked into Wollongong with a shortened rotation and walked out with the biggest upset of their season, stunning the reigning premiers Illawarra Hawks 93-76 on Saturday night.

Missing star Boomer Jack McVeigh, big man Sam Waardenburg and starting guard Reyne Smith, Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde backed a small-ball, undermanned group to punch above their weight.

From the opening tip they did exactly that, battling hard as Forde marshalled his troops on the road to silence a packed house.

Portland point guard Andrew Andrews set the tone and never let go of the wheel.
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The mid-range maestro equalled his NBL career-high with 27 points (10-20 FG, 5-10 from three) and six assists, firing in a string of tough jumpers from range and repeatedly connecting in pick-and-roll with the Taipans’ only genuine big man Marcus Lee (12 points).

Around him, it was a true full-team effort. Four other Taipans joined Andrews in double figures.

Admiral Schofield delivered 17 points (5-9 FG, 2-5 from deep) and 11 rebounds, while Kyrin Galloway produced the first double-double of his NBL career with 16 points (6-17 FG, 3-7 from three) and 14 boards, including seven offensive rebounds.

Mojave King chipped in 12 of his own and rotation guard Lachlan Barker provided steady ball handling off the bench whenever the Hawks turned up the heat on Andrews.

Cairns local Kody Stattmann, starting in his first game back from a hamstring injury, had key moments in the opening half.

It was a statement road victory built on hustle and gritty defence, with the Taipans now set to welcome the return of Waardenburg for his long-awaited season debut and marquee signing McVeigh. ‍

In the Taipans' last outing against the JackJumpers, Taipans offensive powerhouse McVeigh led the charge when he faced his former side for the first time since helping guide Tasmania to the 2024 NBL championship.

The Australian Boomer had 23 points (9-20 FG), six rebounds and two assists, grinding out a 75-69 win in a physical contest on the road.

Remarkably, the star trio of McVeigh, Andrews (27 points) and Schofield (18 points) combined for 68 of Cairns’ 75 points, carrying the offensive load from start to finish in one of the most concentrated scoring efforts in recent NBL memory.

JackJumpers duo Bryce Hamilton (averaging 19.3 points) and Josh Bannan (averaging 15.3 points and 9.5 rebounds) have led the JackJumpers in scoring this season.

Former Toronto Raptor David Johnson (averaging 11 points) returned to the line-up in round 10, after missing two months of the campaign with a calf injury.

JackJumpers guard Ben Ayre, who played for the Snakes across two season from 2021 to 2023, recently made his Australian Boomers debut during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

‍Player to Watch -  Sam Waardenburg;
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‍After missing the opening 11 rounds of the season, Sam Waardenburg returns to the line-up for his season debut.

The longest serving active Taipan has been sorely missed.

The dynamic big man providing a versatile skill set which has been difficult to cover in his absence, with the 26-year-old's injection into side set to boost the team in a numerous ways.

A high IQ playmaker whose shooting warps defensive schemes, he can play the four or the five and guard multiple positions while still protecting the rim.

His inclusion will be a major boost for the second half of the campaign.

The Lineups

Taipans

PG – Andrew Andrews / Lachlan Barker / Kyle Adnam

SG – Mojave King / Kody Stattmann / Lloyd McVeigh

SF –  Jack McVeigh / Mawot Mag

PF – Admiral Schofield / Kyrin Galloway

C – Sam Waardenburg / Marcus Lee

JackJumpers

PG – Bryce Hamilton / Tyger Campbell / Brody Nunn

SG – Ben Ayre / Nicholas Stoddart

SF – David Johnson / Nick Marshall / Jacob Richards

PF – Josh Bannan / Majok Deng / Kobe Williamson

C – Will Magnay / Archie Woodhill

Ins and Outs

Taipans

Ins – Mojave King, Lachlan Barker, Sam Waardenburg, Jack McVeigh

Outs – Alex Higgins-Titsha (wrist), Reyne Smith (foot)

JackJumpers

Outs – Kobe Williamson (foot), Anthony Drmic (back), Sean Macdonald (ACL)