Triple double delight for Giddey

Former Adelaide 36ers point guard Josh Giddey is back to his triple double best in his return to the court with Oklahoma City Thunder at the NBA Summer League.

The 2021 NBL Rookie of the Year had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Thunder’s 87-71 win against Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Thursday.

“Just keeping our foot down for 40 minutes is what we're going to have to do going forward but physicality has been a big part of what we're trying to work on and build on,” Giddey told nba.com.

“Tonight Memphis was a more physical team and that's something we'll look at tomorrow on the film and get better for tomorrow night.”

Thunder Summer League coach Kameron Woods was thrilled with his side’s play in the middle of a three games in three days stretch.

“That's exactly how we want to play and the beautiful thing about it is that's how our guys want to play,” Woods told nba.com.

“It’s easy for me as a coach to put us in positions like that when that's how we want to play.

“That's what they've done all camp. So that was a good thing to see.”

Giddey, who sat out the back end of the 2021-22 NBA season with a hip issue, played his first game on Wednesday in the Thunder’s 98-77 triumph over Utah Jazz.

The 203cm playmaker scored 14 points, dished 11 assists and grabbed five rebounds in the victory against the Jazz.

Giddey combined well with Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s No.2 pick in the 2022 NBA, in their first game as teammates which will have Oklahoma City fans thrilled at the prospects for the franchise.

Holmgren, who had 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists against the Jazz, praised the former 36ers point guard for guiding him to his transition to the NBA.

“A shout out to this guy here (Giddey) – he had a double-double, so it was a great night for him and that helped me a lot,” Holmgren told ESPN post game.

Giddey was excited about Holmgren’s debut performance, the 216cm big man had a NBA Summer League record six blocks.

“The hype that he came in with and the way that he played tonight was big for us,” Giddey told ESPN after the win against the Jazz.

“Being a high pick like that there is a lot of pressure coming in, but he handled it as good as he could of.

“It makes my job really easy playing with someone like him who can stretch the floor, finish at the rim, and protect me.”

Oklahoma City will play the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

The Las Vegas NBA Summer League starts on Saturday and all 30 NBA teams will be at the Thomas & Mack Centre and Cox Pavilion for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

After signing with Boston on Wednesday, Adelaide 36ers forward Robert Franks will start his campaign when the Celtics play Miami Heat at 10am on Sunday.

You can watch the NBA Summer League live on ESPN and on Kayo Sports.

Image credit: Oklahoma City Thunder