Cairns Taipans Stun NBL with Game-Changing Mid-Season Signing—Are Finals Dreams Now Real?

The Cairns Taipans are closing out 2025 with momentum, swagger and a genuine shot at returning to the Hungry Jack’s NBL playoffs. Head coach Adam Forde’s side hosts the South East Melbourne Phoenix tonight at the Cairns Convention Centre in the traditional New Year’s Eve showdown, and a win would push the Snakes to 11-7—good for fourth on the ladder and breathing down the neck of the Perth Wildcats. Key to the surge has been swingman Jack McVeigh, whose 31-point eruption against the New Zealand Breakers earlier this month marked the Taipans’ highest individual tally in three seasons. McVeigh’s sharpshooting has stretched defenses and opened driving lanes for point guard Taran Armstrong, while import big Sam Waardenburg continues to anchor the paint at both ends. Forde will again rely on his deep rotation, although depth has been tested by injuries. Veterans Bul Kuol (ankle) and Bobi Klintsov (hamstring) remain on restricted minutes, but both were upgraded to “available” in the latest club report, leaving only rookie guard Josh Roberts (wrist) on the extended injury list. The healthier roster has allowed Cairns to tighten its on-ball pressure; the Taipans now rank third league-wide in steals per game after languishing at eighth last season. Tonight’s matchup pits Cairns’ up-tempo offense (92.4 ppg) against a Phoenix outfit that excels in half-court sets. Expect the Snakes to push the pace early, fuelled by the raucous “Orange Army” home crowd. If McVeigh continues his torrid shooting—he’s hitting 46 percent from beyond the arc since Round 8—and Armstrong limits turnovers, the Taipans can exploit South East Melbourne’s transition defense, which concedes a league-high 13.8 fast-break points. Beyond the standings, a New Year’s Eve win would cap a remarkable calendar-year turnaround. Cairns entered 2025 on a seven-game skid but finished the regular season 16-12, narrowly missing the play-in. A victory tonight would give the franchise 27 wins in the 2025 calendar year, its best 12-month haul since the 2014 minor-premiership campaign. Fans unable to make it to “The Snake Pit” can stream the clash live on Kayo Sports and 10 Play. Tip-off is 8:00 pm AEST, with post-game fireworks set to light up the Cairns waterfront.