Cairns has stood down star forward Martin Cattalini for Thursday night's away clash with ladder leader New Zealand due to disciplinary reasons.
Cattalini, who turned 35 on Saturday, was charged with drink driving at the weekend. He was immediately banned from travelling with the team to take on the Breakers.
"It is unfortunate that this has occurred as Martin is well liked in the community and is a good person of great character, who has made a serious misjudgement on this occasion," Cairns Chief Executive Officer Denis Keeffe said in a statement on Monday.
"The Taipans however have a strict code of conduct for all players, coaches and staff and we take breaches of the code of conduct very seriously."
"We are fully aware of our standing in the community and have a responsibility to our sponsors, members and fans to ensure that our players act in a manner befitting their status as sporting ambassadors of our great region and abide by our code of conduct."
"We have shown in the past that any breaches will be dealt with by the club swiftly. We now hope that Martin will put the incident behind him and concentrate on a successful season with the Taipans."
Cattalini's loss is a serious blow for the sixth-placed Taipans, who started the season with two victories but have since lost their past two matches to the Tigers and Crocodiles.
Cattalini, who scored a career-high 51 points for the Taipans against the now-defunct Brisbane Bullets in 2006, admitted he made 'a severe misjudgement'.
"I wish to make a public apology to the community, our sponsors, members, my club and fellow players for my behaviour at the weekend," Cattalini, who has won three NBL championships with Perth Wildcats (1995) and Adelaide 36ers (1998 and 1999), said.
"I in no way condone drink driving and fully accept my punishment from both the courts and the Taipans for committing the offence."
"It was a severe misjudgement on my behalf and I am very upset at my actions from the weekend and implore all of the community to listen to the warnings from police and not in any circumstances drink and drive."