How to watch & talking points: SE Melbourne v Cairns

24 Jan 2026

south east melbourne phoenix

cairns taipans

The red-hot South East Melbourne Phoenix host Cairns in an exciting Round 18 clash on Saturday.

South East Melbourne Phoenix (2nd) v Cairns Taipans (9th)
Saturday, January 24, 5.30pm AEDT
State Basketball Centre

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Talking points

Pick your poison
The South East Melbourne Phoenix have one of the deepest and most balanced offensive sides in the competition, led by Nathan Sobey and his 22.6 points a game.

But the Olympic bronze medalist is just one of seven players on Josh King's side to average double-digit scoring, including Jordi Hunter (12.7), Wes Iwundu (12), Ian Clark (11.9), Owen Foxwell (11.8), Angus Glover (11.1) and John Brown III (10.5).

The Phoenix lead the competition in offensive rating (120.7), as well as pace (82.1) and points per game (100.1).

McVeigh’s tough task
After an incredible 34 points against Perth, Cairns star Jack McVeigh is one of the competition's most lethal scorers.

Coming in to Saturday's clash, the Australian Boomer has had six straight games in double-figure scoring, but the task to extend that will be tough while going up against the NBL's top defender, John Brown III.

The American is one of the favourites for Defensive Player of the Year and is among the league-leaders in steals and deflections.

What they're saying

Phoenix coach Josh King comparing his side to the Golden State Warriors:
"[On Wednesday] we were just getting out and running, and sharing the ball and finding guys, and I told the guys in the locker room that I believe and hope Ian Clark was on this team, because I made reference to it, but we looked like the Golden State Warriors from like 16/17.

"It was fun to watch and then somehow the game changed in the second half and it was just a different game, but I really liked the first half and I thought we were in a good position."

Taipans coach Adam Forde on his group's resolve:
“This group is a really good group of guys, I don’t have any disciplinary issues.

"They work hard and they’re doing everything I can ask for. We’re just depleted and the confidence has taken a massive hit.

"All I can ask is to wash this one, we’ve still got seven games to play. We'll keep rolling with this group for the last month of the season.”