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.
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.
Madruga fabian
Guest
So nice
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah me too. PKC picked a goodie there. They just need a couple of good big men. Fellow rookie Tre Mann is going well and they have SGA. Lu Dort too. But they're 6'5 and 6'3 and SGA 6'6 (and Giddey 6'8). They need a big 6'10 body who is a rebounder and scorer, but can also shoot 3s and is smart. I guess those don't grow on trees. KD back to OKC? I guess in the off-season we have to see what teams are rebuilding. OKC I think have some more good 1st round draft picks, so might be able to trade one of them for a currently good big guy. I'm not going to speculate on who, because we'd need to know what teams might be looking to blow it up a bit. Maybe someone like Porzingis, but he seems a big flaky. Nurkic? Siakam? As someone who stopped following the NBA for a while, I never realised OKC are the new incarnation of the Seattle Supersonics. I remember Shawn Kemp for them - he'd be nice for them now. Super athletic big man.
jameswm
Roar Guru
This really is beginning to become more than just a statistical curiosity. That game at the Garden - he came up with crucial plays and was a big part of winning it for his team. A 28-point triple double in a winning team as a 19yo rookie - that is impressive, and another triple double either side of it. He still has to get stronger and more athletic and keep working on his 3-point shot. He's only around 25% for that. But many others have developed that shot over their career, like Magic for one.
Nathan Cirson
Roar Pro
Part of my daily routine to see if OKC are playing and what Giddey’s putting up. So good and taking on that extra responsibility without SGA and Dort!
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Good on him! Seems to have a wise head on his shoulders