Josh Giddey‘s brilliant rookie season continued today in the NBA, recording his third triple-double of the season and his second in as many games.
In Oklahoma City’s 127-123 overtime win over the New York Knicks, Giddey had 28 points, including a game-sealing free throw with 1.5 seconds left, as well as 11 rebounds and 12 assists.
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The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the rebuilding Thunder, who are already looking at the Australian teenager as a key cog in their future.
It’s a perfect scenario for the team, watching their prized pick do well while also losing enough to ensure that they remain in the frame for another high pick in this year’s draft.
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The 19-year-old was selected sixth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA draft, after brilliant year for Adelaide in the NBL.
Even his new home’s mayor, David Holt, is caught up in the hype.
“If you’re missing the Josh Giddey rookie year, you’re missing history,” he wrote on Twitter.
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Giddey was named NBL Rookie of the Year last season and will make more than $5 million in his first year in the league having secured a place in the top ten picks.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, Giddey’s double-digit assist night was also historic – his eighth such game broke a tie with Luka Doncic for the 3rd most in the NBA by a teenager – only LeBron James (11) and Stephon Marbury (9) have more.
“It’s a tough place to play, undermanned on the road. We’ve got a bunch of guys in our first year out there competing against a really good team in New York, so it’s a big win for us,” he said afterwards.
“We came back from four down with a minute left to force overtime and got the win.”
Giddey became just the fourth player ever to record a triple-double in their debut performance at Madison Square Garden – a place he said he’d always dreamed of playing in.
“Obviously I had this game circled on my calendar, coming to New York. The most famous stadium in the world, so I was looking forward to this game,” he said.
“My teammates make things really easy for me.”
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The Thunder are 18-39 so far this season, but the future looks in good hands.
They’ll be back in action against the Spurs on Thursday afternoon AEDT.
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