Basketball news: Aussie NBA rookie Josh Giddey becomes youngest to land triple-double

Melbourne born guard Josh Giddey had been racking up impressive numbers in his debut NBA season with Oklahoma City but this record has him in the clouds.

It has taken Josh Giddey half a season, but the Aussie rookie sensation finally has his first NBA career triple-double.

Giddey picked up where he left off last year, starting 2022 in style with a standout performance despite Oklahoma City suffering a 95-86 loss to Dallas.

The 19-year-old Melbourne-born guard was at his creative best in his first game since December 27 after entering Covid protocols, finishing with 17 points while adding 13 rebounds, 14 assists (career high) and four steals in 36 minutes.

Giddey becomes the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double. Previously it was fellow NBL Next Star and Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball, who held the record.

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Josh Giddey has become the youngest player in history to register a triple-double in the NBA.

Giddey is about three months younger than when Ball recorded his first triple-double for the Charlotte Hornets last season.

Giddey looked slick for a bloke who hadn’t played for seven days, especially with his ability to make others better with his pinpoint passing.

The rising Boomer stuffed the stat sheet in his opening seven minutes on the floor in a clear sign that his impressive all-round game will continue this year.

Josh Giddey is the youngest player to record a triple-double in NBA history.

17 points
13 rebounds
14 assists (career-high)
4 steals pic.twitter.com/G8WnaBkK1X

— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2022

Giddey had a few extra stints on the bench throughout the game as the Thunder managed his minutes coming back from Covid protocols.

The extra time on the sideline didn’t slow down the rising Aussie, who still managed to showcase his class as an NBA Rookie of the Year candidate when he was on the floor

Giddey is happy to create history with his triple-double, but he’d prefer to win.

“It’s cool,” Giddey said post-game. “As I said earlier in the year, the individual stats are good, you enjoy it for the night. But a win is always better than individual stats. If I have zero-zero-zero and we win, it’s always better than if I have a triple l-double and lose.”

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd had 107 triple-doubles during his illustrious playing career, and he couldn’t help but praise Giddey after the game.

“He has the total package,” Kidd said.

“At 19, it’s just a matter of time to understand how teams are going to play him. He’s as good as advertised.

“He’s unselfish, he’s comfortable with the ball, his teammates all know that if he has it, they’re gonna cut, because there’s a chance that they can get it.”

Unfortunately for Giddey, his Thunder couldn’t stop Dallas led by star guard Luka Doncic and forward Tim Hardaway Jr.

Giddey’s latest achievement confirms he really belongs in the world’s best league.

Doncic finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists while Hardaway added 15 points.

Aussie Josh Green had two points, three rebounds and one assist coming off the bench for the Mavericks, but it was his fellow Australian in Giddey who stole the show even in defeat.

The 19-year-old continues to showcase poise, class, and maturity under pressure beyond his years.

Giddey may not win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award, but he has well and truly proved that he belongs in the world’s best league.

He is also the future of the Australian Boomers, and a potential captain based on his already impressive leadership qualities for such a young man.

Originally published as Basketball news: Aussie NBA rookie Josh Giddey becomes youngest to land triple-double