Dante Exum’s epic buzzer beater, Josh Giddey triple-double send NBA into ‘frenzy’

Just as Australia’s Olympic basketball hopes were looking bleak, two of the Boomers’ best have stood up in a stunning day of NBA action.

Dante Exum and Josh Giddey have sent the US into a frenzy. Photo: Getty Images

Two of Australia’s best NBA stars have stood up for their sides in a monster day of NBA action — and it’s come at just the right time.

Boomers stars Josh Giddey and Dante Exum played massive roles as their playoff ready teams claimed important wins.

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In Dallas, Exum overshadowed 48 points from Kyrie Irving and 37 points, 12 assists from Luka Doncic, hitting a clutch three-pointer to force overtime for his Mavericks against the Houston Rockets.

The Mavericks went on to claim the win 147-136 with Exum, who tallied 14 points and nine rebounds as well as a plus-minus of plus-23 in 35 minutes of game-time, proving to be the hero Dallas needed.

With 8.3 seconds left, the Rockets led by three when Jabari Smith Jr. went to the free-throw line but missed both, leaving the door slightly ajar for the Mavs.

Exum passed to Doncic but as he was being double-teamed, he went back to the Aussie, who drained the three, sending his home side into hysterics.

“I just went and grabbed it and tried to get the ball to Luka,” Exum said.

“I knew they were going to try and double so it was about not getting the offensive foul at first and then setting up my feet.

“Luka is obviously great knowing that two guys are going to double him and trusting his teammates.”

Luka was loving it. Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Fans lost it over the clutch moment.

Bleacher Report NBA reporter Andy Bailey commented: “This season from Dante Exum makes me happy. Finally got the coaching and opportunity he needed in Serbia and now he’s back and thriving.”

Mavericks broadcaster Mark Followill posted: “After his 3-pointer to force OT today … Dante Exum was 8/11 on 3s in NBA designated clutch time. 8/12 after missing one in OT but the one he made sent everyone in AAC, including us, into a frenzy!!! What an addition to this team!”

The NBA Straya Podcast account said: “Absolutely spine tingling stuff – what a legend.”

Exum’s teammates also gave the Aussie plenty of love after the game.

“This is why they were brought in. This is why we’ve believed in them since the beginning of the season,” Irving said.

“I know I do and Luka does a great job too of just feeding these guys’ confidence. The reward is on the other side of that. Whether they make shots or not, we’re still going to believe in them. It’s not going to change. We’ve just got to keep that consistent.”

But Exum wasn’t alone with Giddey hitting his 11th career triple-double and third of the season as he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-118 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

The result ends a three-game skid for the Thunder, while Chet Holmgren’s 20 points and 10 assists and Aaron Wiggins’ game-high 26 points saw the side stay just one win behind the Nuggets and Timberwolves at the top of the Western Conference.

Currently the Thunder are without All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams

“We weren’t great in a lot of areas and it was an ugly one,” Giddey said.

“But at this part of the year you take the wins you get … now hopefully we can close out the regular season the right way.”

Josh Giddey has been on fire lately. Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images/AFP

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said winning without their stars could give their side an edge when it comes to the playoffs.

“Hopefully, when we insert Shai and Jalen back in the line-up they will maintain that confidence,” Diagneault said.

But on top of that, it should give Boomers fans some hope coming into the Paris Olympics in July and August.

Australia are the reigning Olympic bronze medallists but after a poor World Cup where the Boomers didn’t make the knockout stages, the belief of a deep run in Paris was beginning to wane.

However, with performances like this — and Joe Ingles hitting three-from-four from three-point range for the Orlando Magic in a 113-98 win over the Chicago Bulls — there may be hope yet.

Originally published as Dante Exum’s epic buzzer beater, Josh Giddey triple-double send NBA into ‘frenzy’