‘Not in the same zip code’: Wild Giddey moment stuns but Aussie has perfect response – NBA Wrap

Josh Giddey’s Oklahoma City Thunder are legit. And so is the disrespect the NBA nonetheless holds for him.

The Aussie was “not in the same zip code” as his defender Jusuf Nurkic throughout one key second within the Thunder’s 118-110 win over Phoenix on Monday (AEDT).

It was one other signal of how little opponents care about his capturing, and on that event Nurkic was proper to take action, with Giddey lacking the three.

Watch a mean of 9 NBA Regular Season video games per week LIVE on ESPN, obtainable through Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

However Giddey went on to make two threes as a part of a ten level night time, taking part in 19 minutes within the victory and displaying he can a minimum of generally punish opponents.

Nurkic had a outstanding 31 rebounds nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35 factors, 9 assists and eight rebounds led the Thunder.

Kevin Durant had simply 20 factors on six of 15 capturing.

BOSTON IS JUST THAT DAMN GOOD

Look out, Denver Nuggets.

If it wasn’t apparent sufficient already, the Boston Celtics are the largest threats to the reigning champions going back-to-back this season.

And whereas the Nuggets, who’ve received six video games for the reason that All-Star break, deserve loads of respect as defending champions it’s not arduous to see why Boston is favoured to win its first title since 2008.

Of course, Boston has been in and across the championship image the final 5 seasons, going to the Conference Finals twice whereas additionally taking place to Golden State within the NBA Finals.

But this feels totally different and this appears to be like totally different.

Just ask the Warriors, who had turned a nook not too long ago to stand up the Western Conference standings and firmly into the playoff image.

Golden State had received 13 of its previous 16 video games earlier than operating into Boston on Monday morning. It was imagined to be an early litmus check of kinds — and the outcomes have been resounding.

The Warriors have been no match for the Celtics, who ran up a rating to take the most important halftime lead (82-38) in franchise historical past, ultimately happening to win 140-88.

It was the most important regular-season lack of Steph Curry’s profession in accordance with ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, whereas Boston turned the primary group in NBA historical past to win three video games by over 50 factors in a season.

The numbers at halftime laid out simply how dominant Boston was, capturing 60.0 and 62.5 per cent from the sector and downtown respectively in comparison with simply 34.9 and 16.7 for Golden State.

Superstar duo Jaylen Brown (25 factors) and Jayson Tatum (22) mixed to outscore the Warriors by themselves whereas Derrick White had 11 factors and 6 assists within the first half.

What made Boston’s blowout opening half much more spectacular was the actual fact it got here with out Kristaps Porzingis, who missed Monday’s sport with a left quad contusion.

Richard Jefferson described it as a “perfect half of basketball” from the Celtics, declaring they’d put the whole league on discover.

“This is maybe as good as any team has played in the first half this season,” Jefferson mentioned.

“I think the entire league needs to be watching what the Boston Celtics are doing and understanding that they are the team to beat.

“I understand that the Denver Nuggets are the defending champions but to me there is no greater threat to them really going on a run and winning a couple than what the Boston Celtics are presenting this season.”

“They are so jaw-droppingly good right now, you just feel the need to keep exclaiming [that fact]. They are just in such an incredible rhythm right now,” Ryan Ruocco added.

“Up and down the roster, Brad Stevens has to be enamoured with the way this squad is playing.”

It wasn’t simply on the offensive aspect of the ball that the Celtics have been excelling, additionally placing the clamps on Curry, who missed all 9 of his 3-point makes an attempt within the half.

“They are just harassing him… he is just not seeing any daylight,” Jefferson mentioned.

Golden State’s 38 factors have been the fewest it had scored in any half this season whereas the 82 scored by Boston was probably the most it had given up.

KNICKS HOLDING BREATH AFTER SCARY BRUNSON INCIDENT

It was the scariest scene doable for Knicks followers: Jalen Brunson leaving the court docket with an obvious non-contact damage.

Brunson, the purpose guard who held the Knicks collectively all season, rose for a jumper and seemed to be in ache as he lifted off, touchdown with shock and discomfort on his face earlier than throwing up an airball within the opening minute of Sunday’s sport towards the Cavaliers.

The sight was far more horrifying than the official replace from the Knicks, who, in the midst of the second quarter, known as Brunson “questionable” to return with a sore left knee.

The origin of the damage remained unclear as Brunson sat for the rest of the primary half, by no means re-emerging from the locker room.

Although he was untouched by defender Isaac Okoro whereas lifting for the jumper, an prolonged replay confirmed Brunson banged his leg on Isaiah Hartenstein as he ran across the display.

He elevated in ache on the identical possession, a number of seconds after the collision with Hartenstein.

Brunson limped to the 3-point line, held his knee/shin space and known as for a sub.

A coach emerged and helped carry Brunson off the court docket, together with teammate Precious Achiuwa.

Brunson couldn’t put weight on his left foot, which gave method as he was helped into the locker room.

The Knicks introduced Brunson has a sore left knee and is questionable to return.

A protracted absence from Brunson could be a catastrophe for the Knicks, who’re already down Julius Randle and OG Anunoby due to accidents.

But neither is as essential as Brunson, who’s the group’s main scorer and placing collectively a season worthy of All-NBA consideration.

He entered the night time averaging 27.7 factors and 6.7 assists, lower than a month faraway from his first All-Star look.

The 27-year-old Brunson has performed in 57 of a doable 60 video games this season regardless of two sprained ankles earlier within the season.

Miles McBride subbed out Brunson and performed the rest of the primary quarter.

The Knicks are already within the technique of signing pending free agent Shake Milton, some extent guard who was not too long ago waived by the Pistons.

But Milton couldn’t start to switch Brunson with 22 video games remaining within the season. The Knicks entered Sunday fourth within the East however simply 1 ½ video games out of the eighth seed, establishing the potential of a fast collapse if Brunson is out for some time.

Before the sport, Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff defined how the Knicks’ offense goes via their level guard.

“Without Randle it’s a lot of Jalen Brunson, not that he wasn’t heavily involved, but the majority of their stuff goes through him and obviously he’s proven that he’s capable of carrying a team,” Bickerstaff mentioned.

— New York Post

CLIPPERS, SIXERS SCORE CRUCIAL WINS

Elsewhere, the Minnesota Timberwolves fell from the West lead after dropping at dwelling 89-88 to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard’s two free throws with 13 seconds remaining gave the Clippers an 89-86 lead. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards drove to the basket for a dunk with three seconds remaining however by no means received the ball again.

Leonard led the Clippers with 32 factors whereas James Harden went 0-for-10 from the ground, 0-for-6 from 3-point vary, and had solely 4 factors.

Edwards led Minnesota with 27 factors.

At Dallas, Mavericks star Luka Doncic posted a triple double in a dropping trigger because the visiting Philadelphia 76ers took a 120-116 triumph.

Tobias Harris scored 28 factors, Tyrese Maxey added 24 and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 21 off the bench for the Sixers (35-25), who stay with out injured reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid.

Doncic completed with 38 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists whereas Kyrie Irving added 28 factors for Dallas, which fell to 34-27, eighth within the Western Conference.

— AFP