Australia's basketball community has paid tribute to one of the game's greats after the Cairns Taipans season ended in a scrappy semi-final loss to the Perth Wildcats tonight.

Taipans star Mark Worthington was given a rousing ovation by the Perth Arena crowd in his final NBL game, with a triumphant Wildcats overcoming the Taipans 74-66.

Wortho played in the NBL for 11 seasons and represented Australia at two Olympic Games.

The NBL wrote on its official Twitter account: "Give it up for the man that has given Australian basketball so much."

His long-time sports agent Daniel Moldovan described Wortho's career "as a hell of a ride".

"Thank you for allowing me the privilege of guiding your career. The game will miss you," Moldovan wrote on social media after the game.

Current and former players like Oscar Forman, Chris Anstey, Brad Newley, Cody Ellis, Jason Cadee and Clinton Steindl, among many others, also chimed in with tributes.

Defending champions Perth led for most of tonight's game, stretching it out to a 16-point lead at one point before the Taipans got within 5 points in the final quarter.

Cairns point guard Travis Trice was the Taipans' standout player, scoring 22 points and 5 assists.

The grand final series will begin on February 27.