Game Preview: Taipans v JackJumpers

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans continue their Round 7 road swing Saturday afternoon, taking on Tasmania JackJumpers at the Silverdome in Launceston. 

All eyes will be on Jack McVeigh and Marcus Lee as they return to face their former club — the pair were key pieces in Tasmania’s 2024 title run — now looking to spoil their old team’s party with an orange crush.

With both sides stacked with familiar faces and plenty of recent history, expect a spirited contest between two regional clubs built on toughness.

Where and When

Saturday, 1 November at the Silverdome, Launceston (4:30pm AEST)

How to Follow

Watch: Live on ESPN

Live Updates: Taipans X

Stats: Box Score

What’s Already Happened

Recent Results

Brisbane Bullets (113) v Cairns Taipans (85)
Tasmania JackJumpers (84) v Perth Wildcats (95)

Cairns fell to the Brisbane Bullets in Thursday night’s Sunshine State showdown at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, despite a strong return from Australian Boomer McVeigh.

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 second half as Brisbane’s offence found rhythm behind three-time NBL champion Prather and 2022 NBL MVP Jaylen Adams.

Andrew Andrews added 11 points and a season-high 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.

Player to Watch

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

The Australian Boomer’s impact went beyond the box score — bringing energy, leadership and composure to the Cairns side.

Now averaging 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 51 per cent shooting this season, McVeigh will wear his heart on his sleeve as he faces his former club, the Tasmania JackJumpers — the team he helped guide to an NBL championship in 2024.

Tasmania has lost each of its last three games at Silverdome after leading at half-time, whilst the Taipans return to the venue for the first time since their two-point win in 2021 against the New Zealand Breakers - with Cairns holding the upper hand at the main break.

Former Taipans Majok Deng and guard Ben Ayre will also face their former side. Ayre who featured for the Snakes across two seasons from 2021 to 2023 was last week selected in the Australian Boomers roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Nick Marshall and Bryce Hamilton each matched their career highs in their last outings, with Marshall scoring 15 points and Hamilton finishing with 26.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde:
“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.”

The Lineups

Taipans

PG – Andrew Andrews / Kyle Adnam / Lachlan Barker

SG – Reyne Smith / Mojave King / Lloyd McVeigh

SF – Jack McVeigh / Mawot Mag

PF – Admiral Schofield 

C – Marcus Lee / Kyrin Galloway

JackJumpers

PG – Bryce Hamilton / TJ Starks / Brody Nunn

SG – Tyger Campbell / Ben Ayre / Nicholas Stoddart

SF – Nick Marshall / Jacob Richards 

PF – Josh Bannan / Majok Deng / Kobe Williamson

C – Will Magnay 

Ins and Outs

Taipans

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

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

JackJumpers

Ins and Outs – N/A

Note: Will Magnay (knee) was a Game Time Decision, but has been cleared to play