Cairns Taipans Aim for Upset Against Perth Wildcats in NBL Clash

Cairns, Australia – The Cairns Taipans are set to face off against the Perth Wildcats in an Australian National Basketball League (NBL) matchup at the Cairns Convention Centre on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Both teams are looking to improve their standings, with the Taipans currently in eighth place at 2-5 and the Wildcats in sixth with a 3-3 record.

The Taipans have struggled this season, but they managed to surprise many by defeating top teams like the Brisbane Bullets and Sydney Kings. Despite their overall challenges, they held their own against the Adelaide 36ers in a close 91-86 loss last week, demonstrating their potential. However, the team will be without players Sam Waardenburg and Jack McVeigh for this crucial game, which means other players will need to step up as they did previously.

“We know we can compete if everyone plays together,” said a Taipans spokesperson. “We’ve shown in our games that we can come close even when undermanned.”

On the other hand, the Perth Wildcats experienced a rollercoaster ride this season. After starting strong with three consecutive victories, they suffered back-to-back losses to the Brisbane Bullets and Sydney Kings, raising concerns about their consistency, especially in defense. They let in 110 points against Brisbane and are searching for answers ahead of their matchup with Cairns.

“Our defensive performance needs to improve if we want to win,” said Wildcats coach. “We have to show resilience and focus when it counts.”

The two teams met earlier this season, with Perth narrowly winning by three points. Today’s game is expected to have a similar intensity, as both teams are eager to secure a vital win.

The tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 CET. Betting odds suggest a closely contested game, with pundits leaning towards the Taipans to cover the spread given their home-court advantage.