Aussie whiz kid Josh Giddey has done it again, producing a clutch play for the Oklahoma City Thunder after ignoring his own coach.
Australian rookie Josh Giddey has produced a another highlight-reel pass to help his Oklahoma City Thunder clinch a thrilling 120-114 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.
Both teams were neck and neck throughout the entire game and couldn’t be separated at the end of regulation time.
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Giddey had another solid game and finished with 14 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds to fall just short of his second NBA triple-double.
With seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the Thunder trailing by two points, Giddey threw one of his trademark pinpoint inbound passes to help tie the game 103-103.
His eyes darting around, Giddey threw a laser-like pass that pierced the Mavericks’ defence and found Kenrich Williams near the hoop for an easy lay-up.
OKC’s Lu Dort then dominated overtime as the Thunder claimed their 16th win of the season in style.
Viewers were blown away by Giddey’s vision and ability to execute the precision pass to Williams.
Dallas Mavericks writer Isaac Harris tweeted: “Still thinking about that Giddey pass.”
ESPN’s Jorge Sedano: “I continue to be impressed at the fight of the young Thunder. I’m buying a ton of Josh Giddey stock in particular.”
Even David Holt, the Mayor of Oklahoma City, was in awe.
“Josh Giddey passes are already becoming some of my favourite Thunder things of all time,” he said.
After the game, Giddey revealed he went off-script with his bullet of a pass, ignoring the play the Thunder coach had planned for the final shot.
“We drew up a play and I kinda completely disregarded it,” he said.
“I saw Luka’s (Doncic) back turned. Me and Kenrich (Williams) were just starting at each other.
“We’ve got a good connection on those inbound passes and I kinda just showed him with my eyes where to go and he ran right in the right spot and I just put it right there for him.”
Fellow rookie Tre Mann starred for OKC with 29 points and was the beneficiary of a couple of Giddey’s passes.
“You gotta be ready at all times with Josh,” Mann said.
“Sometimes you know it’s coming and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes he throws it without even looking.”
It’s not the first time Giddey has impressed with his inbound passing skills. He stunned the NBA in November when he unleashed a one-handed rocket against the LA Lakers.
The 19-year-old is in excellent form, recording three consecutive double-doubles in the space of the week.
His consistency was recognised on Thursday when he was awarded the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award for the third straight month.
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