The Cairns Taipans snatched a dramatic 93-92 road victory over Melbourne United with a last-second basket on January 7, 2026. In a stunning upset, the Taipans executed a perfect final play to steal a one-point win from the championship favorites on their home court. Melbourne appeared to have the game in hand, holding a slim lead in the closing seconds, but a defensive breakdown allowed Cairns to score an uncontested layup as time expired. The match was a tense, back-and-forth affair, with United's inability to secure a defensive rebound on the final possession proving costly. The redemption performance of a Cairns player who had struggled earlier in the season was a key focus, as he scored the game-winning bucket. This remarkable result provided a massive boost for the Taipans' season and served as a major upset in the NBL.