How to watch & talking points: Cairns v Sydney

01 Feb 2026

cairns taipans

sydney kings

The red-hot Sydney Kings travel north to face the Cairns Taipans in an entertaining Sunday afternoon clash.

Cairns Taipans (9th) v Sydney Kings (3rd)
Sunday, February 1, 4.30pm AEDT
Cairns Convention Centre

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Talking points

Tough encore for Cairns
The Cairns Taipans produced a gutsy overtime win against Tasmania on Friday night, but now must back it up against arguably the hottest team in the NBL, Sydney.

Although Cairns and Sydney have split the two previous matches this season in Sydney, the Kings come into this Round 19 clash having won 12 of their past 14 matches.

Adam Forde’s side will need another massive game from star Jack McVeigh, as well as complementary performances by the likes of Andrew Andrews, Mojave King, Kyrin Galloway and Kody Stattmann.

Kendric's MVP hopes growing
While many were quick to hand Adelaide’s Bryce Cotton his sixth MVP trophy midway through the season, he might not have both hands on it just yet.

The main reason, along with the inconsistent play of the 36ers lately, is the incredible form of Sydney’s Kendric Davis.

In his second season in the NBL, he is averaging 23.4 points, 6.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, while powering the Kings to 12 wins from their past 14 matches, despite missing co-stars Xavier Cooks and Matthew Dellavedova through injury.

What they're saying

Taipans coach Adam Forde on Kody Stattmann rising to the occasions:
“Especially because he draws so much attention so that is another reason we tightened up a little bit in the third, because we expect Jack to bail us out of some bad offence, but the momentum shifted back in our favour a little bit when some other guys were making plays.

“Like the man next to me (Stattmann) and we were getting him involved in a little bit of that rub action in the middle because Jack draws so much attention that it can open up some lanes.

“It was a bit of a juggling act trying to mix it up between Kyle (Adnam), Mo (King), Lachy (Barker) and Statt, but I think Statt just took the bull by the horns tonight and really closed it out for us.”

Kings forward Torrey Craig on why he chose to play in Sydney:
“When I was with Cairns, we lost the Championship Series on the buzzer to the Breakers [and it still hurts].

“When this opportunity to play for Sydney came up [after saying no to other opportunities], I wanted to be a part of that, as I knew how much everyone wants to win and bring a championship to Sydney.

“Despite being 35 and having some recent injuries, I still feel like I’m in my prime and can contribute to winning, because in my mind, that trumps everything.

“I’m willing to fill whatever role and position the team needs me to achieve our goal.”