Josh Giddey shines with ‘best game of the season’ amid NBA trade rumours

Josh Giddey enjoyed his best game of the NBA season, starring in the OKC Thunder’s big win over the title favourites in a major statement.

Josh Giddey came up clutch with free throws.

Josh Giddey had his best game of the NBA season as the Oklahoma City Thunder downed the Boston Celtics 127-123 in a playoff-like game on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old guard nailed four three-pointers and finished with a season-high 23 points along with eight rebounds and six assists.

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It was a statement win by the Thunder over Eastern Conference leaders and NBA championship favourites the Celtics.

OKC led by 18 points in the fourth quarter before Boston mounted a comeback, but Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 36 points and two clutch free throws by Giddey shut the door on the Celtics.

Free throws win basketball games and Giddey nailed his two attempts from the line to put the result beyond doubt.

Josh Giddey came up clutch in OKC’s win over Boston. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Giddey’s performance continues his impressive recent form and equalled his career-high haul of four three-pointers against the Brooklyn Nets on New Year’s Day.

Josh Giddey is flat out cooking

— NBA Straya (@NbaStraya) January 3, 2024

10 point lead, Thunder.

If Josh Giddey truly turns things around this season, Oklahoma City is going to take things to another level.

— THE UNCONTESTED PODCAST (@The_Uncontested) January 3, 2024

This is Josh Giddey's best game of the season for the second game in a row.

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) January 3, 2024

Josh Giddey: Back-to-back games with four 3s (still a quarter and a half to go in this one too)

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 3, 2024

The Thunder has been really good this season. There’s already discussions about what trades should be considered to take that next step.

Maybe Josh Giddey getting back on track is better than any realistic trade.

— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) January 3, 2024

Josh Giddey with a great 3rd Quarter scoring 13 points and dishing 4asts. He’s been aggressive all night.

Proving that OKC can make it work with him after lots of trade rumors surrounding Giddey.

pic.twitter.com/bD5dETStBZ

— League Pass Mike (@leaguepassmike) January 3, 2024

Josh Giddey went to the line to shoot the biggest free throws of his career.

Hit both.

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) January 3, 2024

The victory extends OKC’s winning streak to a league-best five games and takes their win-loss record to an impressive 23-9, placing them second in the Western Conference behind the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Described as the odd man out in OKC’s free flowing offence unlocked by Chet Holmgren and an improving bench, Giddey has been mentioned in trade rumours as the Thunder look to find a complementary big man to help them make a deep playoff run.

But his performance against the Celtics was just the type of display that might give Thunder general manager Sam Presti pause for thought.

Gilgeous-Alexander said of Giddey post-game: “He’s adjusting to the NBA adjusting to his style of play. He works hard, I expected it.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s “uncommon ability to block out the noise”.

OKC took care of business against the NBA’s best team. Photo: Joshua Gateley/Getty Images/AFP.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said in November it would be in the best interest of both parties to facilitate a trade.

“Giddey is the trade piece. Simple as that,” O’Connor told The Mismatch podcast.

“They have to trade Giddey for a big. They need a big next to Chet Holmgren in the front court.

“I like Giddey a lot. It’s nothing against him individually as a player. It’s about the greater good of the team and probably the greater good for the team too. It’s not a great fit for him.

“I don’t think the fit is great and I worry about his jump shot.

“I think with Giddey he’s a great young player who is going to have a long, successful career but it might not be in Oklahoma City.”