Josh Giddey misses game-tying free-throw after career-best night

There was just one thing Aussie NBA star Josh Giddey could have done to make his night even better, but instead it’s turned bittersweet.

Giddey almost couldn’t do anything more. Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP

The NBA is as brutal as it gets.

That’s the lesson Aussie Josh Giddey learned first hand after a brutal missed free throw proved pivotal despite a career night against the Charlotte Hornets.

Giddey’s Oklahoma City Thunder lost 137-134 to the lowly Hornets, who are well out of the playoff race.

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The Thunder are barely holding on to the final play-in spot but are in a three-way battle for two spots with the Mavericks and Lakers.

It’s why the loss hurts even more as Giddey had a chance to tie the game, missing a second free-throw which would have tied the game at 135-all with just 2.8 seconds remaining.

BITTERSWEET 😔

Josh Giddey tallied a career-high 31 points in his side's heartbreaking loss to the Hornets.

He finished with 31-10-9 but missed a late game-tying free throw. pic.twitter.com/RWqSRwSX8I

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) March 29, 2023

It left enough time for the Thunder to foul the Hornets, of which Svi Mykhailiuk hit both, before a Jalen Williams three-point attempt fell short.

At 37-39 for the season, Thunder will be rueing the loss to the Hornets but while Giddey missed the pivotal shot, it was the only thing the 20-year-old could have done to improve his brilliant game.

It was a bittersweet night for the Aussie star. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

The Aussie hit a career-high 31-points, along with 10 rebounds and nine assists as he just missed out of yet another triple-double.

Thank you Giddey!
-Laker fans

— Martin Javier (@martindjavier) March 29, 2023

Not to mention the big, very impressive games from two young players in Giddey and JDub, combined with the experience and disappointment of needing to make some critical free throws.

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 29, 2023

Missed the second. Brutal. Likely ball game with no timeouts for OKC.

— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) March 29, 2023

Also, I don’t like the “development” argument for what tonight was. OKC’s expectation at this point is to make the playoffs/play-in. SGA and Giddey have said as much. Just gotta take this one on the chin and hope for the best.

— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) March 29, 2023

Without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams (31 points) and Isaiah Joe (33 points) along with Giddey almost got the Thunder over the line, especially after leading 68-57 at halftime.

Josh Giddey, Isaiah Joe and Jalen Williams are the 2nd trio in NBA history, all younger than 24, to each score 30 Pts in the same game.

The 1st trio also did it in a Thunder uniform: Kevin Durant, James Harden & Russell Westbrook in 2012. pic.twitter.com/myLc10aRgf

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 29, 2023

But the Hornets turned it on in the second half, scoring 80 points with PJ Washington hit 43 points.

It was the issue that most frustrated Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.

“I was most disappointed in our defence, especially in the second half, really from the first five minutes all the way through,” he said. “We’ve got to look in the mirror on that.”

Giddey echoed the comments, saying OKC “got complacent”.

“We have to buckle down and understand what we are playing for and what the stakes are at this end of the season,” Giddey said.