Andrew Andrews helps Cairns win wins

The Cairns Taipans had a horror start to NBL26 but have hit back with two wins this weekend with Jack McVeigh, Andrew Andrews and Reyne Smith starring in 77-74 win over a wayward Sydney Kings.

In a game full of momentum swings, the Taipans looked to have finally seized control when they led by six points inside the last 30 seconds at Qudos Bank Arena, before the Kings almost performed a miracle.

A steal from gun Kings recruit Matthew Dellavedova led to a Kouat Noi three, then at the start of the next possession Noi drew a charge on Cairns import Admiral Schofield.

But Noi couldn't capitalise on two opportunities to tie the game, committing a turnover, then missing his next three-point attempt.

It completed a terrific bounce back weekend from the Snakes after a first up 37-point loss at the hands of the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

They hit back at home on Friday night to beat the Brisbane Bullets and now have beaten the Kings on their home floor in their first game of NBL26.

The efficiency of gun recruits on either team, Jack McVeigh and Kendric Davis, was a major factor in the end result.

McVeigh led the Taipans with 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists on 9/14 shooting from the field while Davis did score 21 points for the Kings, but shot just 9/27 overall and 1/7 from deep.

New Cairns import point guard Andrew Andrews only arrived on Wednesday and again cramped throughout the second half, but had a significant impact with 16 points and seven assists.

Another big-time recruit, Reyne Smith, also had 16 points with 4/10 three-point shooting while Admiral Schofield ended up with seven points and six rebounds.

It was a rough shooting night to open the season for Sydney who went 37 per cent from the field including 4/28 from deep which meant they went on to lose despite taking 22 extra shot attempts than Cairns with 15 offensive rebounds to four.

Returning import centre Tim Soares finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Dellavedova had 10 points, six boards, five assists and three steals, and Noi eight points and nine rebounds.

McVeigh and Smith piloted Cairns to a 15-6 head start, which became a 22-18 quarter-time lead, Davis the only King to make any early impression.

Sydney stole the impetus with a 27-18 second term, led by Davis (15 first-half points) and a massive advantage on the boards.

The momentum swung back the Taipans' way in a 21-13 third term as the home side's poor shooting from beyond the arc hurt them in their first game of the season.

The fourth quarter was neck-and-neck and the scores were tied at 71-71 before Cairns appeared to ice the game as Andrews overcame leg cramps to drill a huge triple over Dellavedova, and McVeigh buried a neat fadeaway.

The Taipans will now be opening Round 3 of NBL26 on Thursday night when hosting the Adelaide 36ers while the Kings remain at home to the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

SYDNEY KINGS 74 (Davis 21, Soares 12, Dellavedova 10)

CAIRNS TAIPANS 77 (McVeigh 24, Andrews 16, Smith 16)

BOX SCORE