'Record setter': Josh Giddey matches insane LeBron James milestone
Aussie NBA rookie Josh Giddey continues to shatter records after matching an outstanding LeBron James record in his team's 98-81 win over the Portland Trailblazers.
Giddey shouldered his extra responsibility for the missing Shae Gilgeous-Alexander with aplomb, playing 33 minutes for his 11th double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) of the season, setting a new franchise record for a rookie player, eclipsing the previous mark set by Russell Westbrook.
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However, Giddey also joined an elite group of players to have reached 500 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists within the first 45 games.
The other four players to have achieved this feat are James, Luka Doncic and LaMelo Ball.
His 11 double-doubles also leads all rookies in 2021-22.
The NBA world was quick to recognise the Aussie's impressive feat.
Most double-doubles by a rookie in OKC history:
11 — Josh Giddey
10 — Russell Westbrook pic.twitter.com/m03c2Zh3HQ— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 1, 2022
Josh Giddey breaking or matching LeBron James and Russell Westbrook milestones both in the same night.
Remember when he was considered a reach? https://t.co/9Twpk8GcSo— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) February 1, 2022
Josh Giddey. Rookie. Record Setter.@joshgiddey now holds the record for the most double-doubles by a rookie in franchise history!@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/qJWPlHvAEl
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) February 1, 2022
Per @ESPNStatsInfo, list of NBA teens with 500 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists in first 45 career games:
LeBron James
Luka Doncic
LaMelo Ball
Josh Giddey— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 1, 2022
Josh Giddey not bothered by NBA records
The Thunder snapped a seven-game NBA losing streak following Giddey's star performance.
This was more important to the Aussie than his stats.
"It's cool. The stats are all good but for me, it's all about winning and the more wins we can get, the happier I'll be," Giddey said post-game.
Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC's leading scorer, is out until after the All-Star break with a sprained right ankle.
The last time he was missing, Giddey became the youngest player in NBA history with a triple-double, registering 17 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds.
Gilgeous-Alexander's absence means more time for Giddey at point guard with the Aussie mostly playing off the ball while the Canadian was running the point.
"There's gonna be more opportunities, there's gonna be more minutes, there's gonna be more touches, but the actual way that everybody's playing, we're not changing the messaging on that at all," Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said.
with AAP
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