THE Cairns Taipans are on the winners’ list for the 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season, getting the better of the SEM Phoenix at Cairns Convention Centre in the second of Thursday’s games.

The Taipans came into the game with one loss from their only outing of the season to date, falling to the New Zealand Breakers last weekend. On the other hand, the Phoenix had managed one win from two games during the previous round, producing a statement win over the Perth Wildcats to close out last weekend’s action. Although the Taipans were just one win away from the Grand Final series last season, they brought in a different looking side to the current season, and were yet to prove themselves with a victory.

That all changed on Thursday night, as the home side took control of the match after the Phoenix were hindered by an eye injury to a star player. It was a back and forth contest to start the match, with both sides trading blows and exchanging the lead.

However, things went south for the Phoenix when Tyler Cook was forced off the court with a nasty injury, and Cairns took full advantage. Despite a late charge from South East Melbourne, the Taipans held on for a seven-point triumph and their first win of the regular season.

Although there were a healthy spread of contributors for the victors, NBL Next Star Bobi Klintman was the standout, producing a mature performance off the bench.

Cairns Taipans (87) def. South East Melbourne Phoenix (80)

Bobi Klintman – 15 points, 11 rebounds, one rebound, two steals, three blocks

It was an announcement performance from Klintman, who stormed onto the scene with the first double-double of his NBL career.

The Next Star cemented himself as one of the brightest prospects in the competition with an excellent and important performance off the bench. The Swedish-born talent was immense in a number of facets of the game, showcasing his versatile skillset and what he can bring to Cairns this season.

He had 15 points for the match, all of which were important in getting the Taipans over the line. In the second quarter, he nailed a corner three, before ripping the ball away from the opposition and throwing down the dunk on the other end.

It was a crucial point of the game that gave Cairns a fair scoreboard advantage, and took all of the wind out of South East Melbourne’s sails.

Klintman was a solid presence on the boards too, pulling down 11 for the match and using all 208cm of his height to get the reach over the opposition.

Defensively, he was as impactful as anyone, swatting shots and disrupting ball-handlers in an encouraging sign for scouts.

It was the strongest performance of any Next Star over the first week of play, and appears an ominous warning to the remainder of the competition.