Cairns Taipans Find Their Rhythm with Back-to-Back Wins Over Hawks and Wildcats

The Cairns Taipans have sent a strong message to the rest of the league with two massive back-to-back wins against the Illawarra Hawks and Perth Wildcats. A team that has spent much of the 2025 NBL season near the bottom of the ladder is suddenly showing signs of life, proving they are far from done as the regular season nears its end.

Their newfound momentum began with a dominant home win over Illawarra on January 23rd, before carrying their winning mentality into enemy territory for a stunning double-overtime victory over the Wildcats in Perth.

Cairns Taipans Stun Illawarra with Statement Win

Heading into their matchup against the Hawks, the Taipans were seen as underdogs. However, from the opening tip, Cairns played with an intensity and focus that caught Illawarra off guard.

Despite Illawarra’s Sam Froling opening the scoring with a layup, the Taipans responded quickly, with Alex Higgins-Titsha answering with a hook shot before Cairns went on an early 6-2 run, fueled by Sam Waardenburg and Tanner Groves.

Rob Edwards, who would go on to be one of the game’s standout performers, got on the board with a floater around the seven-minute mark of the first quarter. The Taipans’ defensive pressure stifled Illawarra’s transition offense while capitalising on their own fast-break opportunities. By the end of the first quarter, Cairns had established a commanding 31-17 lead.

The second quarter saw more of the same, with the Taipans maintaining their defensive pressure. They held Trey Kell to just nine points in the first half and kept Tyler Harvey scoreless in the second quarter. Edwards ended the half with 11 points, while Groves contributed a well-rounded performance with seven points, six rebounds, and two assists. Waardenburg also filled up the stat sheet with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.

Illawarra attempted to mount a comeback in the second half, but the Taipans maintained control, finishing the third quarter with a 71-64 lead. Edwards kept his offensive rhythm going, while Pedro Bradshaw stepped up in the third with five points and solid defensive contributions.

The fourth quarter turned into a battle, but the Taipans refused to let their lead slip away, securing a 100-94 victory. Every Cairns starter finished in double figures, with Edwards leading the way with 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Bradshaw also played a pivotal role, posting 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

Double-Overtime Thriller in Perth

Riding high from their win over Illawarra, the Taipans travelled to Perth to face the Wildcats in what turned out to be one of the most thrilling games of the season.

Cairns started strong once again, jumping out to an early 7-2 lead. Though they faced the daunting challenge of four-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton and former Taipan Keanu Pinder, the Snakes showed no fear. They held both Cotton and Pinder to single-digit scoring in the first half while maintaining their offensive aggression.

Despite a quieter second quarter for Edwards and Waardenburg—who combined for just nine points—Cairns found contributions elsewhere, particularly from Groves, who stepped up with nine points in the period. At halftime, Waardenburg had an impressive stat line of nine points, eight assists, five rebounds, and two steals.

Cotton, known for his ability to take over games, caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 11 points. However, the Taipans remained composed, moving the ball well and continuing their defensive intensity. Edwards and Groves hit key shots to keep the game close heading into the fourth quarter.

In the final period of regulation, Edwards and Waardenburg combined for 15 points, while Bradshaw dominated the boards, pulling down five rebounds. With neither team able to pull away, the game went into overtime.

The first overtime period was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging clutch plays. With seconds remaining, Cotton had a chance to put Perth ahead with a four-point play opportunity but missed the free throw. Moments later, Edwards went to the line with a chance to seal the game for Cairns but missed both of his free throws, forcing a second overtime.

That’s when the Taipans truly took over. Their defensive intensity reached another level, holding Perth to just six points in the final overtime period while pouring in 15 of their own. Waardenburg was the standout performer of the night, finishing with a near triple-double of 24 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Edwards led all scorers with 30 points, adding six rebounds, while Groves and Bradshaw continued their all-around contributions.

A Newfound Momentum for Cairns

With these two wins, the Taipans have officially made it clear they are not a team to be taken lightly. After struggling for much of the season, they have found their rhythm at a crucial time. Their ability to not only dominate at home against a strong Illawarra team but also grind out a tough double-overtime win against Perth on the road speaks volumes about their resilience and determination.