Josh Giddey has continued to raise the bar in his incredible debut NBA season, becoming the first rookie since 1960-61 to post three consecutive triple-doubles.
The 19-year old was a shining light in Oklahoma City Thunder’s 106-114 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday (AEDT), netting 17 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to continue his unprecedented hot streak.
Former Sacramento King Oscar Robertson 61 years ago is the only other rookie to have achieved the feat, back when the franchise were known as the Cincinnati Royals.
Giddey’s latest effort comes just days after he put up a career-high 28 points in another triple-double in a close win over the New York Knicks.
His game against the Spurs, his fourth triple-double of the season, sees him join fellow Aussie Ben Simmons and MVP hopeful Luka Doncic as the only other players in the last 25 years to post four such matches in their first season.
So good is Giddey’s form that commentators are beginning to make some lofty comparisons to basketball legends.
“Sometimes, the passes you see Josh Giddey throws, it takes you in and out of Magic Johnson thoughts,” Thunder host broadcaster Michael Cage said during play.
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
“He’s just making the game look easy at times because he knows how to play it.
“He’s playing with a whole lot of confidence.”
Fellow caller Chris Fisher described the performance as ‘just a dazzling display’.
“So much control, so much poise… despite being the second-youngest player in the NBA,” he added.
“I’ll tell you one thing, skill travels. Even from Australia, that’s a long way to the States but he’s got some skill.”
However, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was more restrained with his praise at full time, merely describing Giddey as ‘a good player.’
“I thought he played a really good floor game tonight. The triple-double stuff is just a byproduct of how he’s playing,” Daigneault said.
Giddey, who has been named the Western Conference’s Rookie of the Month for each of the previous three months, is all but a shoo-in to receive the gong for February as well, as his case for Rookie of the Year grows stronger by the day.
Josh Giddey may only be 19, but it is his maturity that is helping him make his mark in the NBA ????@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/XMkwBq92iT
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) February 17, 2022
Up next for the teen phenom is the Rising Stars mini-tournament on All Star Weekend, where he will be one of the star attractions.
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