‘Ridiculous’: Josh Giddey equals career-best in wild fourth quarter explosion

Aussie NBA gun Josh Giddey’s name is being put up in All-Star conversations as the youngster’s stunning form left the Nets reeling.

Josh Giddey is loving it. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Aussie NBA stud Josh Giddey just keeps getting better — equalling his career-high for points with 28 against the Brooklyn Nets.

Although it wasn’t an Aussie face off against Ben Simmons after the Nets guard was ruled out with back soreness, Giddey once again delivered a masterclass.

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Giddey’s has nine rebounds and nine assists to go with his 28 points as his Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Simmons and Kevin Durant-less Nets 112-102.

Giddey was on fire late, hitting 11 points in the final quarter, including seven-straight points as he took the game by the scruff of the neck.

The 20-year-old from Melbourne has been in red-hot form recently averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists in the past 10 games.

Josh Giddey is on some streak. Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

In the past three games alone he’s hit 20, 25 and 28 points. For context, Aussie basketball legend Patty Mills has never had three straight 20-point games in his 939-game NBA career.

“First half was ugly for us, we were lucky to be down two – we didn’t play our style of basketball, they got on top of us early,” Giddey said on court after the win.

“Second half, guys responded well … we managed the clock well, we executed at both ends of the floor and got good looks.

“It was a great team win against a really good team.”

Giddey has come on leaps and bounds in his second season in the NBA, despite some questions over his ability to shoot before the season began.

Giddey has answered those concerns and some.

“A sign of progress for a young player is consistency. Josh Giddey on the cusp of his 30th double-digit scoring night in his last 32 games,” Thunder sideline commentator Nick Gallo said of Giddey in the first half.

“He’s continuing to score within the floor of how the Thunder wants to play – out in transition and with physicality on hard drives like that one when he barrels into the rim.

“This is a guy who continues to work on his game. I talked to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander about him, he said: ‘When you work hard and work on the right things, it will show. He’s really leaned into that effort on the inside in the practice facility and in the weight room.’

“That is just going to continue to progress for Josh – not even 21 years old yet and we’re continuing to see him take strides forward.”

Josh Giddey keeps getting better. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Social media was equally thrilled by Giddey’s play.

ESPN basketball insider Olgun Uluc wrote: “Josh Giddey’s recent stretch is getting ridiculous: 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in a W over the Nets tonight. He’s averaging 20.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, and 6.1 apg over his last 10; looking like maybe the best sophomore in the NBA. OKC is 1.5 games out of 6th in the West.”

Fan Nation’s Thunder publisher Derek Parker tweeted: “Felt like Josh Giddey could become an 18 points per night kinda guy eventually by a) using his size/leverage better OR b) hitting more 3’s consistently, And now he’s just all of a sudden doing both at a high level.”

I swear Giddey has been averaging 20+ points a game ever since Nate Duncan laughed at him on a podcast and said he wouldn't be a scorer or a defender

— Angus Livingston (@anguslivingston) January 16, 2023

Was Simmons out there for the Nets? Giddey looks as mesmerising now as Simmons was a few years ago? https://t.co/XFtlUY0lZi

— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) January 16, 2023

Yep, having SGA as a All-Star and Giddey should honestly be one soon. Plus their role players know their roles and play hard every night. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing at the moment if I’m Presti🤷🏽‍♂️

— Ray Young (@rayfordyoung) January 16, 2023

Originally published as ‘Ridiculous’: Josh Giddey equals career-best in wild fourth quarter explosion