Josh Giddey sets new career-high as monster NBA payday looms

Australian star Josh Giddey has continued his red-hot NBA form as he delivered a new career-high against one of the league’s best teams.

Josh Giddey picked up right where he left off at Madison Square Garden with another huge performance on Sunday (all times AEDT) to continue his hot form post the All-Star break.

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The Aussie in Chicago’s 121-117 loss to Phoenix racked up 24 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists with three triples and three steals while shooting a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line in 35 minutes.

The nine free throws made set a new career-high return for Giddey, who made four of those foul shots inside the last 4:09 of the game in his attempts to drag the Bulls over the line in the tight contest at United Center.

A Coby White 3-pointer got Chicago within three points at 118-115 with 34.1 remaining, but Bradley Beal, who returned to Phoenix’s staring line-up, responded with his own dagger three to clinch the win for the visiting team.

Giddey is on a roll. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

It marked Giddey’s 17th double-double for the season and the 71st of his career as he takes on greater offensive responsibilities for the Bulls in the second half of the season following Zach LaVine’s trade to Sacramento.

Giddey has clearly been one of the big winners of the trade deadline.

Sunday’s near triple-double comes off the back of arguably Giddey’s best showing for the 2024/25 campaign in New York on Friday, tallying a season-high 27 points and 16 rebounds to go with four assists.

The 6-foot-8 guard has very much found his groove — averaging 18.4 points on 48 per cent shooting from the field, seven rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and one block in the month of February.

The Aussie has stepped up after the All Star break. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

He’s getting it done on both ends of the floor. Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images/AFP

During that span he’s also been knocking down 2.6 3-pointers at a 47 per cent clip and shooting 77 per cent from the free throw line in promising progress of areas he’s historically struggled.

It comes as the 22-year old approaches the biggest contract extension of his career to date, set to become a free agent at the end of this season.

Keep up this level of play and Giddey will earn himself a lucrative payday, with a report last year stating the Aussie was seeking an annual US $30 million deal

While Giddey is flourishing, the 22-35 Bulls are clinging onto a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.

Originally published as Josh Giddey sets new career-high as monster NBA payday looms