‘Oh my god’: Giddey joins NBA great in history books as Aussie puts on Garden masterclass

In case it wasn’t apparent, Josh Giddey loves enjoying at Madison Square Garden.

Oklahoma City Thunder beat author Brandon Rahbar described it as a “coming out party” for the Australian in his rookie season, when Giddey put up a 28-point triple-double in an additional time win over the Knicks.

Now he has carried out it once more.

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Giddey lit up the Garden in a cushty 145-135 win within the early hours of Monday morning (AEDT), scoring 24 factors to go along with 12 assists and 10 rebounds — his fifth profession triple-double.

With it, Giddey additionally joined NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain as the one different participant in league historical past to file triple-doubles of their first two video games on the Garden.

Told by a reporter post-match about his spectacular feat, the Aussie couldn’t assist however smile, however it’s clear Giddey’s precedence lies with the group.

“Anytime you can be mentioned within the names of greats like that, it’s special,” he stated.

“But basketball is a team game, so if those things contribute to winning and helping my guys around me be better, then it makes it worth it.”

Speaking after final 12 months’s breakout recreation towards the Knicks, Giddey spoke about how he had been trying to enjoying on the Garden since being drafted by the Thunder.

He once more admitted his pleasure to play on the iconic venue.

“We come here once a year, so you’ve got to have fun while you’re here,” Giddey stated.

“Luckily in my time we’ve had two wins so far so it’s been good so far.

“It’s a fun place to play — obviously the most famous arena in the world — I always have this arena circled on my calendar and I can’t wait to come back next year.”

There was some late drama although, with Giddey’s preliminary rebound to assert the triple-double being taken away earlier than the Australian grabbed one other board with 14 seconds left.

It additionally marked a season-high scoring efficiency from the 20-year outdated, who shot 10-of-14 from the sector (71 per cent) with two triples.

After a disrupted begin to the season hampered by an ankle setback, Giddey is now beginning to get rolling, averaging 19 factors, 11.3 rebounds and seven.7 assists from his final three video games.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stated Giddey discovered his rhythm late within the second recreation with Milwaukee via his offensive rebounding.

The younger gun stated he’s at his finest when he’s “getting downhill” and utilizing his measurement.

“The floaters haven’t been dropping for me this year, so just trying to get into the paint, staying confident with my shot and just reading what the defence is giving me,” Giddey stated.

“I’ve started to realise I’m usually a bit bigger than a lot of these guys guarding me, so trying to finish over the top of them and being stronger with the ball.

“Things I’ve been working on at practice and trying to emulate that in a game, but it felt good out there.”

Giddey’s teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander additionally placed on a present within the win, ending with 37 factors eight assists, 5 rebounds and three steals as he continues his beautiful begin to the season.

And so the duo mixed for an epic 61 factors, 20 assists and 15 rebounds.

While there have been query marks over the pair’s match within the backcourt, Giddey hopes individuals can now see simply how efficient the 2 might be now and into the long run.

“It’s great playing with him,” Giddey stated.

“I think our chemistry is going to continue to grow and hopefully we can be a hell of a backcourt for a long time.”

OKC gained its second straight recreation after snapping a four-game shedding streak towards the Raptors over the weekend to now sit 6-7 general.

Despite the dazzling particular person play of Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey, a team-first mentality is clearly serving to this rebuilding group exceed expectations.

“That’s the best thing about our team — we’ve got such an unselfish and willing group that buys into what we’re doing a team,’ Giddey said.

“No one goes off on their own ventures trying to do it themselves.

“We have five guys on the four, guys on the bench are active and talking and the coaching staff is engaged.

“It runs through the whole group … we always pride ourselves and preach getting it done with five guys.

“The more we can do that and get everyone involved and feeling good, hopefully the more wins it could lead to.”