Sobey New Year's Eve: Phoenix star drops 31 in 33 mins

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Nathan Sobey delivered a captain’s performance, pouring in 31 points as the South East Melbourne Phoenix closed out 2025 with a commanding 111–96 road win over the Cairns Taipans at Cairns Convention Centre on Wednesday night.

Sobey was the difference. The Phoenix skipper finished with 31 points, 10 assists and 4 steals, shooting 5-of-11 from three and a clinical 6-of-7 at the line, while committing zero turnovers in 34 minutes. Whenever Cairns threatened, Sobey answered — stretching the defence with deep pull-ups, collapsing coverage to create shots for teammates, and setting the tone defensively with active hands in the passing lanes.

The game swung decisively in the third quarter. After a tight first half, Sobey orchestrated a 35–26 Phoenix third period, repeatedly getting downhill and punishing late close-outs. His shot-making opened the floor for Jordan Hunter and Owen Foxwell, and by the time the fourth quarter arrived, South East Melbourne had full control.

Cairns received strong nights from Jack McVeigh (26 points) and Sam Waardenburg (22), but they struggled to contain Sobey’s pace and decision-making. The Phoenix finished with 23 assists to just six turnovers, a reflection of the composure and structure Sobey brought as primary ball-handler.

On a night with 27 lead changes, Sobey’s poise late separated the teams. This was not just a scoring outburst — it was a complete leadership performance that underlined his importance to the Phoenix as they head into the new year with momentum.

Key Details

• Result: South East Melbourne Phoenix 111 def. Cairns Taipans 96
• When: Tuesday, 31st December 2025
• Where: Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
• Attendance: 4,870
• Standings: View NBL Standings

By the Numbers

• Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix) starred with 31 points, three rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals in 34 minutes.
• Jack McVeigh (Cairns Taipans) scored 26 points, and had five rebounds and two assists in 39 minutes.

What Happened

The Phoenix established early control and never relinquished their advantage, building a commanding 15-point victory over the Taipans in front of a disappointed home crowd. South East Melbourne's balanced offensive attack proved too much for Cairns to handle, as they dominated in virtually every statistical category except field goal percentage.

Nathan Sobey orchestrated the Phoenix offense with exceptional ability, recording a stellar 31-point, 10-assist double-double while shooting an efficient 10-from-21 from the field. His leadership from the charity stripe was equally impressive, converting six of seven free throw attempts. Supporting Sobey's dominant display, Jordan Hunter contributed 19 points on outstanding 8-from-12 shooting, while Owen Foxwell added 17 points with six assists in a well-rounded performance.

The Taipans showed flashes of offensive brilliance, particularly through Jack McVeigh's explosive 26-point effort on exceptional 7-from-10 shooting from the field, including three triples. Sam Waardenburg provided solid support with 22 points and six boards, while Andrew Andrews chipped in 17 points despite an erratic 5-from-13 shooting performance that included nine assists and seven rebounds.

Phoenix's suffocating defense was the decisive factor, generating 15 steals compared to Cairns' three while forcing 22 turnovers from their opponents. The visitors' ability to create extra possessions through defensive pressure translated into easy scoring opportunities, evidenced by their 23 assists on 42 made field goals. While Cairns shot an impressive 54.55% from the field and connected on 43.48% of their three-point attempts, they struggled to control the ball against Phoenix's relentless defensive intensity.

The comprehensive nature of Phoenix's victory was reflected in their superior rebounding (30-36) and their ability to limit Cairns to just five blocks while recording four of their own. South East Melbourne's depth proved crucial, with five players reaching double figures in scoring, demonstrating the full team effort that characterized their dominant performance at Cairns Convention Centre.