How to watch & talking points: Sydney v Cairns

21 Dec 2025

sydney kings

cairns taipans

The red-hot Sydney Kings host the reenergised Cairns Taipans on Sunday afternoon at Qudos Bank Arena.

Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans
Sunday, December 21, 4.30pm AEDT
Qudos Bank Arena

How to watch‍

‍Watch every Sunday game live on ESPN and Channel 10.

>> How to watch ESPN

Tickets

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Talking points

It's the Kings' Reign
Don’t look now but the Sydney Kings are flying and could very well just be on their way to a top two spot.

Behind Kendric Davis, who has been nothing short of outstanding, this Kings team is clicking and they’re getting some big scalps in the process.

After a disappointing first half against Adelaide, it looked to be a completely different team in the second and they flipped the script and came away with a big win over the ladder=leaders.

He's a Cracker Jack
Cairns star Jack McVeigh has scored eight straight games in double-digits, including a sensational career-high 47 points in Friday's win over New Zealand.

Making that even more impressive is that fact he's shooting an incredible 54.7 per cent from the field during that stretch, taking shots that come his way in the offence and not force the issue.

If the new-look Taipans are going to record their second win over Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena in NBL26, they are going to need another big scoring game from their million-dollar man.

What they're saying

Kings coach Brian Goorjian on his relationship with star Xavier Cooks:
“We have over this year and-a-half that we've been together, we've dealt with a lot and a lot of disappointment, and he's been through a lot and I've been through a lot.

"This year there's been a real growth in our relationship because we need each other.

"I understand him better and he understands me better, and we're kinda joint because this is his team moving forward, the Kings.

"There's been a real bond through this rollercoaster ride."

Cairns star Jack McVeigh on his growth as a player:
"Every day I feel like I'm getting better at basketball faster than I ever have.

"You just get so many great reps and for me I just love getting better at basketball, and that I get to come out here [on Friday] knowing I had so many reps to get better and I have a lot of fun doing that.

"[Honestly] I love getting buckets and I love making tough shots, I love shooting bad shots on three people and it's always a balance, but what gets me up in the morning is making tough shots."