Cairns overcome 26-point deficit to stun Sydney in NBL thriller

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 11:44 · Archive

Cairns Taipans overturned a 26-point first-half deficit to defeat ladder leaders Sydney Kings 84-82.

The Cairns Taipans pulled off one of the NBL's greatest comebacks at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday night, overturning a 26-point first-half deficit to defeat ladder leaders Sydney Kings 84-82.

The Kings dominated the early stages, leading 29-12 after the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 53-32 by half-time. By the third quarter, Cairns were still down 65-51 and facing humiliation at their home venue. But the Taipans' shots began dropping in the second half while Sydney's accuracy deserted them. An 11-0 run from Pinder and Malique Lewis early in the third quarter sparked the turnaround.

In a tense finale, Torrey Craig's fourth three-pointer put Sydney up 82-80 inside the final minute. Keanu Pinder then scored twice for Cairns, either side of Kendric Davis missing a three-pointer, putting the home side up with 11.3 seconds remaining. Davis missed again from long range on Sydney's final possession. Pinder finished with 24 points and Jack McVeigh with 16 for Cairns, whilst Davis and Craig led Sydney with 23 and 22 points respectively.

How it is being reported

• Cairns come from nowhere to stun Sydney in NBL thrillerThe Cairns Taipans stared humiliation in the face at their home venue, before rising from their grave and burying the Sydney Kings in an NBL nailbiter.Perth Now · 13 Nov, 11:05
• Cairns come from nowhere to stun Sydney in NBL thrillerThe Cairns Taipans stared humiliation in the face at their home venue, before rising from their grave and burying the Sydney Kings in an NBL nailbiter.The West Australian · 13 Nov, 11:05

In this story: Cairns Taipans · Sydney Kings · Keanu Pinder · Jack McVeigh · Kendric Davis · Torrey Craig · Cairns

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