UPDATE: The Cairns Taipans faced yet another devastating loss in the NBL, falling to the Brisbane Bullets 113-85 on Thursday night, July 15, 2025. Despite Jack McVeigh’s impressive return from injury, scoring 23 points and delivering six assists, the Taipans were unable to keep pace with the dominant Bullets.
The Brisbane Bullets, now 4-6 this season, secured their first home victory after a series of disappointing performances. The home crowd at the Nissan Arena witnessed a standout performance from centre Tyrell Harrison, who scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds. This win marks a critical moment for Brisbane as they look to build momentum.
Cairns, now languishing at the bottom of the standings with a record of 2-8, has suffered a staggering seven consecutive losses, with five of those defeats by at least 27 points. The team is grappling with ongoing personnel changes and injuries, which have severely impacted their performance.
The game opened competitively, with the Taipans briefly taking a 27-25 lead in the first quarter. However, as the game progressed, Brisbane asserted their dominance, completing 25 lead changes before a decisive 10-point run gave the Bullets a commanding 57-47 lead at halftime.
Cairns coach Adam Forde expressed frustration over his team’s lack of urgency as Brisbane capitalized on missed shots, showcasing their offensive strength throughout the game. A spirited effort in the final quarter, including a highlight steal and slam from Casey Prather—who also contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds—opened the floodgates for Brisbane, solidifying their lead.
Jaylen Adams had a standout performance with his best showing as a Bullet, scoring 20 points and providing seven assists. New import Dakota Mathias made his debut, contributing 11 points and hitting three triples, adding to the Bullets’ overall offensive depth.
As the Taipans continue to face challenges, including a struggle to maintain consistency, they will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next matchup. The Bullets are set to face off against former teammate Sydney on Saturday, where they will aim to build on this significant victory.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds in the NBL.
