NBA: Worst news possible for Aussie basketball sensation Josh Giddey

Josh Giddey’s rookie season is officially over, his coach at the Oklahoma City Thunder has confirmed.

This isn’t the news Thunder fans wanted. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

A hip injury has ruled Aussie NBA star Josh Giddey out for the remainder of his rookie season.

The injury has kept the 19-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder guard from taking to the court since late February and on Sunday (AEDT), his coach confirmed he had played his last game for the season.

“It’s a tricky injury that’s a little unpredictable,” said coach Mark Daigneault of the Aussie’s injury.

“I would not say it met or didn’t meet an expectation. We didn’t really have an expectation.”

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The curtain may have come down on his season prematurely but Giddey achieved more in his first NBA campaign than most.

Having caught the eye of basketball pundits playing for the NBL’s Adelaide 36ers last season, the Thunder selected Giddey with pick six of the most recent NBA draft.

Before long, the side was getting its money’s worth out of the young Aussie.

In January, Giddey became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple double, and then the second, third and fourth youngest by posting three more.

He’s also the first rookie in more than half a century to record triple doubles in three consecutive games.

Giddey took the NBA by storm in his rookie season. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Giddey was named Western Conference Rookie Of The Month for four consecutive months between November and February and was also selected to take part in All Star Weekend.

Since playing in the Rising Stars mini-tournament, Giddey has featured in only one game due to his injury.

The Thunder has struggled in Giddey’s absence, winning only three of 14 games between his first game out and news he would not return this season.

Oklahoma City is hoping to win back-to-back games for the first time since the first week of February when it meets the Denver Nuggets on Sunday (AEDT).