McVeigh lights it up against Brisbane to end pre-season

Jack McVeigh had 26 points in the first half and 33 for the game while the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans had 67 to half-time and another 62 in the second on the way to a thumping 129-98 win over the Brisbane Bullets to wrap up NBL season preparations.

It was the very last game of the pre-season ahead of the start of Cairns' 2026-27 campaign next Saturday with the Sunshine Coast combatants doing battle at the University of Sunshine Coast Arena.

Both teams were pretty close to full strength too with the Bullets only without Sam McDaniel and Taine Murray while the Taipans were missing both Jaylin and Kyrin Galloway, Shaun Bruce, Sunday Dech and Luke Paul.

That's the scary part of the result for the Bullets with the Taipans having more of an upside too with the players they were missing and it was the Jack McVeigh show especially in the first half.

Having committed to Cairns after his first season with them on a lucrative deal for the 2025-26 season, he showed he's worth every cent and perhaps more with 11 points in the first quarter and another 15 in the second to go into half-time already with 26 to his name on 9/12 shooting including 5/8 from the outside.

The Taipans as a result were leading 67-49 at half-time and went on to win by 31 points with McVeigh ending the evening with 33 points, two rebound and two assists on shooting 12/18 from the floor, 6/11 from beyond the arc and 3/3 at the free-throw line.

It was an enterprising start from both teams with them combining for 59 points in the first quarter with 31 of those from Cairns who were shooting 67 per cent from the field with Jack McVeigh not missing from his four shot attempts.

Brisbane did go 8/8 at the foul line for 28 points with Nate Hinton and Jaylin Williams having seven apiece.

Cairns took over in the second frame with 36 points and McVeigh scored 15 of those and as a team they shot 14/23 from the field and 7/13 from the outside.

Brisbane only managed 21 points with 8/17 shooting while having nine turnovers to half-time and with Cairns on top 67-49.

It was another 29 points to 23 in the third period in favour of Cairns who then put up another 33 to 26 in the fourth on the way to the 31-point win in a perfect final hit out ahead of the NBL season.

The Taipans now start their season on the road to the defending champion Sydney Kings next Sunday and along with what McVeigh did, the signs were exciting from Keanu Pinder too with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Jaylon Brown added 20 points, six assists and four rebounds, Malique Lewis 17 points, six boards and four assists, Reyne Smith 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals with 3/5 three-point shooting, and Jonah Bolden eight points and six rebounds.

It was a tough night for the Bullets in their last hit out ahead of opening their season on Tuesday September 22 at home to the New Zealand Breakers.

Nate Hinton was a bright spot ending up with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals with 8/14 shooting.

Tyrell Harrison added 18 points, six rebounds and four steals, Jaylin Williams 17 points, six assists, five boards and three steals, Lat Mayen 11 points on 4/6 shooting, and Jacob Holt nine points and two rebounds on perfect 4/4 shooting.

BRISBANE BULLETS 98 – CAIRNS TAIPANS 129

Brisbane Bullets
Nate Hinton – 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Tyrell Harrison – 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals
Jaylin Williams – 17 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
Lat Mayen – 11 points, 4/6 FG
Jacob Holt – 9 points, 2 rebounds

Cairns Taipans
Jack McVeigh – 33 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 6/11 3PT
Keanu Pinder – 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Jaylon Brown – 20 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds
Malique Lewis – 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Reyne Smith – 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

Written by Chris Pike for NBL.com.au