GIDDEY CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
Slice of history eludes Aussie star
JOSH Giddey’s quest for his elusive first NBA triple-double continues, despite him going into halftime as a serious contender for the historic milestone as Oklahoma City Thunder went down 113-101 to Atlanta Hawks.
The 19-year-old scored 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished off eight assists against Atlanta star Trae Young.
Giddey was directing the offence in place of Thunder’s star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed the game due to an ankle injury suffered against Boston Celtics on Sunday.
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball holds the record for the youngest player to post the fabled stat line, beating out Markelle Fultz by 177 days to lay claim to the title.
The former Adelaide 36ers star was on triple-double watch at halftime as he went into the break with nine points, six assists and five rebounds.
Meanwhile, Patty Mills continued his rich vein of shooting form with an impressive display for the Nets against Cleveland Cavaliers.
It was the fourth game in five that Mills clocked double figures, notching 17 points and three assists as the Nets ran out 117-112 victors.
Mills was the third-highest points scorer for the Nets behind Kevin Durant’s haul of 27 and LaMarcus Aldridge’s 21. The Boomers skipper’s scoring streak also puts him on the path for some seriously elite numbers.
Last season for San Antonio Spurs, Mills enjoyed a career-high 161 threes.
This season he already has 51 three-pointers to his name. If he keeps this pace up, he’d be on track for almost 250 threes by the time the season is done.
The win moves the Nets to a 13-5 record as Steve Nash’s side fight tooth and nail with the Chicago Bulls at the summit of the Eastern Conference.
• LEBRON James has been suspended for one game following his bloody clash with Detroit Pistons player Isaiah Stewart.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar James was ejected for only the second time in his career after wildly lashing out at Stewart during Monday’s victory over the Pistons.
Stewart was left with blood pouring from a facial injury following the flashpoint, and needed to be restrained as he attempted to confront James.
The 20-year-old Stewart was given a two-game suspension.