NBL Round 20 2025: Taran Armstrong scores triple double as Taipans end Bullets’ finals hopes in 100-88 win

Taipans star Taran Armstrong has claimed his first NBL triple-double in his game for Cairns, and closed the curtains on the Brisbane Bullets’ season. See the latest NBL news.

An inspired Taran Armstrong has claimed his first NBL triple-double as the Taipans closed the curtain on the Brisbane Bullets finals chances with a 12 point win at Cairns Convention Centre.

Armstrong finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists as Cairns claimed a 100-88 point win in the clubs final home game of the season.

The Bullets had to win to keep their slim finals hopes alive and early in the third quarter they opened the door and hit the lead for the first time in the game.

But it was a late third quarter combination of Armstrong and Sam Waardenburg (23 points, seven rebounds) that pulled the lead back in the Taipans way as the duo combined for 16 of the 25 points.

The Cairns Taipans celebrate after ending the Brisbane Bullet’s slim finals hopes. Picture: Getty Images

Armstrong and Waardenburg remain uncontracted with one game left of the season.

Despite what looked like a serious knee injury in the second quarter, Bullets forward Casey Prather (19 points and five rebounds) with Keandre Cook (28 points and seven rebounds) led the way for Brisbane.

The Taipans will now head to Tasmania to take on the Jackjumpers as the reigning premiers look to keep their finals chance alive.

While Brisbane will now look to the off season and build their roster to return to finals next season.

Taran Armstrong earned his first career triple double, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Picture: Getty Images

BULLETS INJURY SCARE

A scare went through the Brisbane Bullets camp with powerful import Casey Prather going down midway through the second quarter.

Prather went to assist his teammate by helping him up and slipped causing his right knee to buckle underneath him.

The 33-year-old went straight to the hands of the physio but soon returned to the court despite still looking in some distress.

Taipans’ Pedro Bradshaw slipped on the same area as he went to put up two points just seconds before.

Prather isn’t contracted for the NBL next season with the forward in demand from a number of teams.

Casey Prather went down in the second quarter but was able to return to the court. Picture: Getty Images

ARMSTRONG, WAARDENBURG SPECIAL

Cairns’ two biggest leaders Taran Armstrong and Sam Waardenburg put on an absolute clinic in the third quarter as the two shared buckets.

Armstrong continually found Waardenburg, including the highlight of the third with an alley-oop midway through the quarter.

The Bullets grabbed the lead early in the quarter, for the first time of the game but Armstrong lifted with Waardenburg following his skippers lead as the Taipans turned a five-point deficit into a seven point lead through the third.

WORTH HIS MONEY

Taran Armstrong may have had a season that has been plagued by injury but his final performance in front of the Cairns crowd which included his first ever NBL triple-double will make the point guard in hot demand for next season.

Taipans coach said earlier in the season that he was fending off calls from NBA clubs and he showed why he is deserving of one.

The 23-year-old finished with 28 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds leading his side to a 12 point victory as he commanded the ball and led the plays throughout the night.

All eyes will be on the Tasmanian to see where he goes during the off season and where he will end up next season.

Originally published as NBL Round 20 2025: Taran Armstrong scores triple double as Taipans end Bullets’ finals hopes in 100-88 win