‘Silver lining’: Josh Giddey shows off new side to his game in NBA loss

Aussie Josh Giddey has impressed with his playmaking skills but he showed he has another string to his bow in his latest NBA game.

Josh Giddey impressed with his three-point shooting.

Josh Giddey has added another dimension to his game, showcasing his three-point shooting in his latest NBA appearance for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While the Aussie rookie has quickly caught the attention of basketball fans with his instinctive playmaking skills and slingshot passing, he has struggled somewhat to hit the scoreboard.

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But Giddey has increased his scoring in recent games and been noticeably more confident to attack the basket when he has the opportunity.

He scored 14 points against Milwaukee on Saturday and backed that up with a 15-point performance in OKC’s 111-105 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday (AEDT).

Giddey’s three-point shooting accuracy has been below par this season but he put that behind him against Boston, nailing four shots from beyond the arc.

In the three games prior to the clash with the Celtics, Giddey had made zero threes from 10 attempts.

Gidd3y ☔️☔️☔️ pic.twitter.com/bAWUNIh1Pq

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 21, 2021

After 16 games, he is shooting from distance with a 25.5 per cent accuracy.

Fans were impressed with Giddey’s shooting from deep with many encouraged by his efforts after his slow shooting start to the NBA season.

Oklahoma City falls to the Celtics and moves to 6-10,

Silver lining: Giddey had 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and hit four 3-pointers

— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) November 21, 2021

Josh Giddey, 3 point sharpshooter.

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) November 21, 2021

Is Josh Giddey the best 3 point shooter in the NBA now?

— Gabe Ikard (@GabeIkard) November 21, 2021

Already an outstanding passer and rebounder, the 203cm teenager will become an extremely difficult player to defend if he can add a consistent three-point shot to his game.

Giddey also had eight rebounds and three assists against Boston, including a gorgeous behind-the-back pass to set up Derrick Favors for an easy jump shot.

wdym breathe breathe @joshgiddey ➡️ @dfavors14pic.twitter.com/k0Tz8jbJhz

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 21, 2021

The Thunder were slow out of the gate and at one stage trailed by 20-points for the second game in a row.

OKC was still behind by 16 points with just over six minutes remaining but left their run too late as Boston sealed a six-point win.

As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s form slump continued, Giddey finished as OKC’s second-highest score, only one point shy of Lu Dort.

Thunder beat writer Nick Crain summed up the issue with the team’s slow starts best: “Oklahoma City comes back from being down 20+ points in back-to-back nights to nearly pull off victories.”

Giddey said he was happy his shots were starting to fall but said his team can’t afford to keep giving up early leads to quality opposition.

“It was good to finally make a three tonight, see the ball go through the ring,” he said post-game.

“We want to throw the first punch and be the aggressors out the gates.

“It was a good effort, we fought to the end. But we gotta stop putting ourselves in that position.

“We’re learning now how to read late-game situations and we’re getting better at that.”

Giddey, who again started for OKC, has played five games in seven days and said it was pleasing his body was standing up to the rigours of the NBA.

“This is way more than I’ve ever played before,” he said.

“I think the most I’ve ever played in seven days is two games. But the body feels great.”