Thunder rookie Josh Giddey becomes youngest player with triple-double in NBA history

OKLAHOMA CITY — Josh Giddey, at 19 years and 84 days outdated, was the youngest participant in NBA historical past to report a triple-double. The Oklahoma Town Thunder rookie reached the feat with 4 mins left within the fourth quarter Sunday night time towards the Dallas Mavericks.

Giddey completed with 17 issues, 14 assists and 13 rebounds within the Thunder’s 95-86 loss to the Mavericks at Paycom Heart. He additionally chipped in 4 steals.

“A win is at all times higher than the person stats for me,” Giddey stated. “If I had 0, 0, 0 and we win, I’m extra satisfied than if I’ve a triple-double and lose. It’s at all times been that manner for me. All the time will probably be. However yeah, it’s a fab milestone.”

Giddey rallied the undermanned Thunder within the fourth quarter. Oklahoma Town reduce Dallas’ result in 4 issues with 40 seconds left ahead of Mavericks ahead Maxi Kleber drilled a dagger 3-pointer 16 seconds later.

Giddey, born Oct. 10, 2002 in Melbourne, Australia, is 56 days more youthful than Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball used to be when Ball recorded a triple-double remaining season. Each Giddey and Ball performed in Australia’s Nationwide Basketball League ahead of stating for the NBA draft.

“I’m satisfied for him. I’m happy with him,” Thunder trainer Mike Wilks stated of Giddey. “He’s a perfect employee. I am getting to spend numerous time with him. He’s a sponge. Good for a tender participant.

“However once more, he simply were given misplaced within the pageant. We weren’t targeted at the numbers.”

Giddey returned to the beginning lineup Sunday after lacking the remaining 3 video games with COVID.

“It sucks sitting in a lodge room, quarantining and gazing video games on TV,” Giddey stated.

Giddey needed to briefly play himself into form on Sunday.

“At the beginning I used to be gassed,” he stated. Through the tip, he made historical past.

However give fellow Thunder rookie Aaron Wiggins credit score. He made Giddey paintings for his triple-double.

With about 4½ mins left, each Wiggins and Giddey skied for an uncontested defensive rebound. Wiggins got here down with it. He had no thought Giddey used to be one rebound shy of a triple-double.

“As trainer Mark (Daigneault) would say, Skittles,” Wiggins stated ahead of telling his aspect of the tale. “Once I grabbed the rebound and I heard the group, I right away knew.”

Thunder fanatics gave a collective groan.

“I attempted to move him the ball, hoping the rebound would switch, too,” Wiggins stated. “I feel they referred to as timeout proper after the following play, and I went instantly to him and I used to be like, ‘My fault.’ I had no thought. You don’t in reality take note of the ones issues whilst you’re enjoying.

“However even once I took it and I heard the group cross loopy I stated to him, like, ‘I do know you’re gonna get it. There’s numerous time left.’ The way in which that he rebounds, the best way that he performs the sport, triple-doubles are gonna come naturally to him all over his occupation.”

Giddey wouldn’t need it some other manner.

“My teammates have been telling me, however I used to be by no means gonna cross in the market searching rebounds,” he stated. “I feel a couple of fell into my lap the remaining 5 mins.”

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