Game Preview: Taipans v Kings

Sunday afternoon in Cairns has a blockbuster edge to it. The Kings are in town, the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans are in Blackout kits and there’s no shortage of firepower on the floor.

From Torrey Craig facing off against his former side, Xavier Cooks v Jack McVeigh to the Galloway brothers’ showdown, this one has storylines everywhere you look.

‍Where and When

Sunday, 1 Feburary at the Cairns Convention Centre (3:30pm AEST)‍

How to Follow

Watch: Live on 10 Drama and ESPN

Live Updates: Taipans X

Stats: Box Score‍

What’s Already Happened‍

Recent Results
SEM Phoenix (118) v Cairns Taipans (91)
Cairns Taipans (96) v Tasmania JackJumpers (93) OT

Sydney Kings (106) v Adelaide 36ers (101)
Sydney Kings (122) v Illawarra Hawks (104)

Cairns local Kody Stattmann delivered the crucial late-game plays and Jack McVeigh authored a 40-point masterpiece as the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans outlasted the Tasmania JackJumpers 96-93 in an overtime classic on Friday night.

In Pride Round at the Cairns Convention Centre, the Taipans were dealt a blow when import floor general Andrew Andrews was ruled out, but responded with a dominant first half.

Mojave King sparked Cairns early and had 10 in the opening quarter as the Taipans jumped to a 27-17 lead, before Kyle Adnam lifted the crowd with a pinpoint alley-oop to King in the second term.

Adnam combined with former JackJumper Lachlan Barker to steer the Taipans offence for large stretches.

McVeigh fought through constant doubles to post 20 by halftime and Cairns led 54-39 at the break.

Tasmania surged after halftime behind Majok Deng (28 points), Josh Bannan (18 points and 15 rebounds) and Tyger Campbell, forcing 84-84 at full-time.

In overtime, Stattmann scored seven points, came up with two late steals and iced it at the line as Cairns held firm in front of a roaring home crowd.

Stattmann finished with 18 points, while King added 16 points.

Last Time They Met‍

The last meeting was a tough one for Cairns, with Sydney pulling away after halftime to claim a 119-77 win at Qudos Bank Arena.

The Kings blew the game open with a dominant third quarter and had multiple contributors, led by Kendric Davis (21 points, nine assists), Xavier Cooks (14 points) and Makuach Maluach (13 points).

For the Taipans, Andrew Andrews (14 points, nine assists) and shooter Kody Stattmann (14 points) led the scoring.

Torrey Returns
‍Former Taipan Torrey Craig will face his old club for the first time this season after recently signing with the Sydney Kings as an injury replacement import.

The NBA veteran has spent recent seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics, having previously suited up in front of the Orange Army across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 NBL campaigns.

The 35-year-old helped the Taipans claim the 2014-15 minor premiership with a 21-7 record before reaching the Grand Final series against the New Zealand Breakers.

In just his second game in Kings colours, Craig produced 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals against the 36ers.

‍Galloway Brothers Face Off
In a battle between brothers, Taipans forward Kyrin Galloway will go head-to-head with his younger brother Jaylin.

Following the season-ending ACL injury to lockdown defender Bul Kuol, Jaylin has been elevated into the Kings’ starting lineup for their past three fixtures. The athletic wing continues to play a key role for Sydney, averaging 9.1 points and 1.1 steals.

Meanwhile, Kyrin has enjoyed a breakout season in Cairns. After celebrating his 150th NBL game earlier this month, Galloway has gone from opening the season on the bench to becoming a key pillar in Adam Forde’s frontcourt.

The 26-year-old has been among the squad’s most improved, with his off-ball work and dangerous three-point shot helping him average 7.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks.

The brothers were raised in North Queensland and previously shared the court for the Mackay Meteors and the Ipswich Force in NBL1 North.

Under head coach Brian Goorjian, Sydney pride themselves on defensive intensity and physicality, aiming to win the effort areas before turning stops into scores.

With elite creators and athletes, the Kings play with purpose, pushing off rebounds and turnovers in transition, while also valuing the ball at an elite level.

Sydney lead the league in fewest turnovers (9 per game). Statistically, they pair the competition’s best defence (108.4 defensive rating) with the NBL’s top net rating (+11.8) and rank second in offense (120.2 offensive rating) behind SEM Phoenix.

The Taipans’ Blackout jersey returns for Sunday’s Blackout game, a dark scale-inspired design cut through with bold orange, alongside the club’s partnership with IFYS Foster Care.

This will be the eleventh Blackout game for the club, with the Taipans holding a 6-4 winning record and 3-1 record under Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde.

Lineups

‍Taipans

PG – Andrew Andrews / Lachlan Barker / Kyle Adnam

SG – Mojave King / Kody Stattmann / Lloyd McVeigh

SF –  Jack McVeigh

PF – Kyrin Galloway / Admiral Schofield

C – Marcus Lee / Jed Richardson‍

Kings

PG – Kendric Davis / Shaun Bruce

SG – Matthew Dellavedova / Tyler Robertson

SF – Jaylin Galloway / Torrey Craig / Makuach Maluach

PF – Xavier Cooks / Kouat Noi

C – Tim Soares / Hunter Goodrick

Ins and Outs

‍Taipans

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

Outs – Sam Waardenburg (ankle), Alex Higgins-Titsha (wrist), Reyne Smith (foot), Mawot Mag (foot) ‍

Kings

Ins – Torrey Craig

Outs – Bul Kuol (knee), Jason Spurgin (foot), Keli Leaupepe (knee)