Playoffs Game 3: Taipans v Kings
19 Feb
1
min read


CQUniversity Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings
(Qudos Bank Arena, 1:00pm AEST)
Watch together at the Reef Hotel Casino
Watch LIVE on ESPN (Kayo Freebies)
LAST MEETING
Will be a game that will be referenced for years to come. The Taipans made hisstory, by registering their first ever post-season win over the Kings. It was also the first game this year, that any team has defeated the reigning Champions and led from start to finish, with a 93-82 victory forcing game three. DJ Hogg top-scored for Cairns (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) while Sam Waardenburg was again impressive with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
LOOK FOR
Another fiery affair. Game two was full of drama, with Sydney’s coach Chase Buford later charged with disparaging remarks about an official as well as for conduct that led to his ejection. Tim Soares was also charged with striking Sam Waardenburg, with both accepting fines for an early guilty plea.
LINE-UP
Tahjere McCall made his anticipated return on Friday (20 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals) but Shannon Scott did not hit the floor due to hamstring soreness. Taipans coach Adam Forde exercised a shorter rotation on Friday - using just seven players in the win over Sydney. Keanu Pinder (eye) will be on the bench but unavailable for the foreseeable future.
LATEST WORDS
“It was amazing, it was electric. I’ve got to thank Cairns Regional Council, they really got behind us this week when we got back, they did media, they drove it. We’ve got our logo around the city, we’ve got the logos at the lagoon on the fish. It was loud, they rode every possession. I said it yesterday, and I’ll say it again today - it’s really fun, because they deserve it. They stick around afterwards, they want signatures, high fives, and they really appreciate good basketball. That’s what we’re trying to deliver for them,” - Adam Forde on the Orange Army and Cairns support
“That’s the problem with the schedule - trying to jam in all these games before the FIBA break. With the flight, there were concerns, we got an MRI. There were some things he could potentially play through, but it was one of those situations where he didn’t feel confident in it, it could become worse. So we trusted the group to extend this out, and we’ll see how he goes and pulls up. The way the guys got going early, it was one of those situations where I felt pretty confident that I could sit him out and potentially preserve him for game three,” - Adam Forde on Shannon Scott

27 Mar
Courtside Collection: The Snake Who Never Has To Sit Down

24 Mar
Taipans providing NBL opportunities for NBL1 coaches

21 Mar
Courtside Collection: Kimmy Vale and the Cheer Squad Spark

17 Mar
Taipans Off-Season Report - March 2026
Admiral Schofield
Alex Higgins-Titsha
Andrew Andrews
Jack McVeigh
Jed Richardson

4 Mar
Forde Selects Taipans-Heavy Gangurrus Side
Alex Higgins-Titsha
Lachlan Barker

27 Feb
Stattmann Makes Boomers Debut in Guam Win
Kody Stattmann
Reyne Smith

26 Feb
Smith, Stattmann Ready For Boomers Showdown
Reyne Smith
Kody Stattmann

23 Feb
Jack McVeigh Rewarded With All-NBL Second Team Honour
Jack McVeigh

20 Feb
2025-26 Taipans Club Award Winners
Jack McVeigh
Kyrin Galloway
Lachlan Barker
Jed Richardson
Andrew Andrews

19 Feb
Andrews Leads, Stattmann Career-High in Breakers Defeat
Kody Stattmann
Andrew Andrews
New Zealand Breakers
.jpg)
19 Feb
Game Preview: Taipans v Breakers
New Zealand Breakers

18 Feb
Stattmann, Smith Named in Australian Boomers Squad
Kody Stattmann
Reyne Smith

16 Feb
ORIGINS Kody Stattmann: Homecoming
Kody Stattmann

13 Feb
Jack McVeigh Commits to Cairns
Jack McVeigh

12 Feb
McVeigh, Taipans Fight Till The End Against United
Jack McVeigh
Melbourne United

12 Feb
Game Preview: Taipans v United
Melbourne United
Support your team with the latest gear
Grab your latest team releases before they're gone.

Subscribe to Snake Bites
Get the latest updates from your Taipans, direct to your inbox.
