Cairns v Brisbane: Talking points & watch live

Brisbane Bullets fans will get their first look at the new squad ahead of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 Season, while for the Cairns Taipans the focus is on getting their top players back on court for an important early test.

It’s new head coach Stu Lash up against the returning Adam Forde, and with both teams considered among the biggest risers in NBL26, this shapes as an early glimpse of what’s to come.

Cairns v Brisbane
Sunday, August 24, 2025 - 2pm AEST
Trinity Ford Stadium

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Brisbane’s powerhouse trio
‍All eyes will be on the Bullets’ new import trio of Jaylen Adams, Casey Prather and Javon Freeman-Liberty. On paper, this could be the most dangerous combination in the league if each plays to their full potential, putting new head coach Stu Lash under pressure to make it all click.

Adams is already a league MVP, Prather was playing at MVP level to close out NBL25, and Freeman-Liberty comes in with the kind of scoring reputation that could see him top the league. Expect plenty of fireworks.

Cairns' fresh faces
‍The Taipans steadied the ship during their Melbourne trip, despite missing most of their core roster. Now, with the FIBA Asia Cup wrapped up, head coach Adam Forde will be eager to give Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith valuable minutes in their new colours.

Add in Sam Waardenburg and Marcus Lee, who were also unavailable last time around, and Cairns suddenly looks far more dangerous with significantly more firepower.

Tyrell on the rise
‍Tyrell Harrison looks closer than ever to an NBA call-up, and if his steady year-on-year growth continues, that opportunity could arrive by the end of NBL26.

He’s arguably the most likely in the league to make the leap stateside, having come close to securing a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets just last month.