Josh Giddey has made NBA history as he now holds the record for the three youngest triple-doubles, three days after he claimed the record as the second youngest to accomplish the feat.
In his first ever match at the famous Madison Square Garden, the rookie had a career-high 28 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 127-123 overtime victory over the New York Knicks in what was a gruelling 53-minute encounter.
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Giddey already holds the record for the two youngest triple-doubles, with his first one coming at 19 years and 84 days and the second coming at 19 years and 125 days.
He’s also just the seventh rookie ever to post back-to-back triple doubles and the fourth player to notch a triple-double in his first game at the Garden.
Adding further to the already incredible stats emerging from the game is the fact he’s the youngest player in league history to have consecutive triple-doubles as well as becoming the first teenager to have a triple-double against the Knicks.
And the 19-year-old was quick to point out just how excited he was to play in the iconic venue in his post-game interview.
“Obviously I had this game circled on my calendar, coming to New York,” Giddey said.
“(The) Most famous stadium in the world, so I was looking forward to this game.”
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The Australian’s remarkable feat is certainly aided due to the absence of fellow Thunder stars Luguentz Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
But the visitors likely wouldn’t have got the victory without a 23-point haul from forward Darius Bazley, who exploded for 14 points in the third quarter.
Giddey reserved special praise for the 21-year-old, hailing just how “versatile” he is on defence as well as the improvements behind the scenes.
“Baz is awesome,” Giddey said.
“I said the other night, he guards one through five, he switches from point guards to centres.
“He’s really versatile on that end.
“Offensively, he’s improving every game.
“You can see it from watching him.
“The work he puts in at practice… big fan of his game and he’s been big for us all year.”
Fans had been salivating at the prospect of the history-making figure all game long as the NBA world continues to fawn over the Australian rookie.
It was just days ago that he claimed the second triple-double in his rookie season, bringing up the prestigious stat line with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 33 minutes in the Thunder’s 106-101 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday (AEDT).
After surpassing LaMelo Ball’s previous record (aged 19 years, 140 days) as the youngest to achieve a triple-double, Giddey joined Luka Doncic as the only players in league history with multiple triple-doubles as teenagers in a history effort, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
It continues Giddey’s outstanding rookie season, claiming Western Conference Rookie of the Month honours a perfect three-straight times and getting selected in the All-Star Rising Stars game and Skills Challenge.
YOUNGEST EVER NBA PLAYERS WITH A TRIPLE-DOUBLE
1. Josh Giddey (19 years, 84 days) – 2022
2. Josh Giddey (19 years, 125 days) – 2022
3. Josh Giddey (19 years, 127 days) – 2022
4. LaMelo Ball (19 years, 140 days) – 2021
5. Markelle Fultz (19 years, 317 days) – 2018
6. Luka Doncic (19 years, 327 days) – 2019
7. Lonzo Ball (20 years, 15 days) – 2017
8. LeBron James (20 years, 20 days) – 2005
– with Ben Cotton