Cairns Taipans Face Uphill Battle Against League-Leading Illawarra Hawks

CAIRNS, Australia — The Cairns Taipans will host the Illawarra Hawks in Round 18 of the NBL25 season on Thursday night at the Cairns Convention Centre, in what appears to be a lopsided matchup. The Taipans, sitting at the bottom of the ladder with a 5-19 record, will face the league-leading Hawks, who boast a 17-8 record. Despite the odds, the Taipans pulled off a stunning 108-105 victory over the Hawks earlier this month, offering a glimmer of hope for the struggling team.

The Taipans are coming off a disappointing 24-point loss to the Adelaide 36ers but have managed two wins in their last five games. Key player Taran Armstrong‘s participation remains uncertain due to back soreness, which could further complicate matters for the home team. Tanner Groves has been consistent, while Rob Edwards has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring 25 or more points in three of his last five games. However, Sam Waardenburg, who has been a standout this season, is currently in a slump, scoring just nine points in his last two outings.

On the other side, the Hawks are in formidable form, having won four of their last five games, including dominant victories over the Brisbane Bullets and Melbourne United. Sam Froling has been a force to reckon with, and Trey Kell has provided steady contributions. The Hawks will miss Darius Days, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, but the team’s depth should help them manage the loss. The Hawks previously defeated the Taipans by 27 points in September and will be eager to avenge their recent upset loss.

With the Hawks riding a two-game win streak and the Taipans struggling to find consistency, the odds heavily favor the visitors. The absence of Armstrong, if confirmed, would further tilt the scales in the Hawks’ favor. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. AEDT on Thursday, January 23, at the Cairns Convention Centre.