Josh Giddey’s positive start to Friday’s game against the Clippers has been cut short, with the Australian failing to finish the second quarter after suffering a left ankle sprain.
Giddey slipped on the court and was left clutching at his left ankle, limping to the locker room to be assessed with 1:42 left in the second before later being ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The 21-year-old was having one of his best games of the season, finishing the first quarter alone with 11 points, four assists and three rebounds while making all three 3-point attempts.
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Silver breaks silence on Giddey drama | 00:43
Giddey did have five turnovers but there were plenty of highlight-worthy plays from the young guard, including this behind-the-back pass to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the finish.
The Clippers, who were without Kawhi Leonard (hip) for the first time this season, had won nine games in a row but trailed the Thunder 108-92 after the third quarter.
Oklahoma City went on to win comfortably 134-115, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, two blocks) strengthening his MVP case.
Chet Holmgren didn’t add to his outrageous block tally as of late but did have 23 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the win, producing another hilarious highlight when passed off the backboard to himself for the finish.
‘SELL THE TEAM’ CHANTS AS PISTONS HIT ROCK BOTTOM
This was supposed to be the one. The win Detroit Pistons fans had been waiting
It is what made the loss — a 25th in a row — all the more disappointing as the Pistons suffered a 119-111 defeat to the understrength Utah Jazz on Friday.
The Jazz, who had Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George and Talen Horton-Tucker all unavailable, were instead led by Kelly Olynyk (27 points, six assists, four steals).
Collin Sexton, meanwhile, had a handy 19 points, eight assists and four steals while Kris Dunn, starting for the second time in the last four games, stepped up with 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block.
Ochai Agbaji also flashed his athleticism and aggression as he made his presence felt off the bench with 18 points.
The Pistons were keeping touch with the Jazz by the first quarter, only trailing 34-32 before quickly falling further behind after Utah opened the second on a 11-0 run, with Agbaji scoring seven of those points while Dunn scored or assisted on seven points in that period.
Detroit got 74 points from Marvin Bagley III (22), Jaden Ivey (24) and Cade Cunningham (28 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, two steals, six turnovers).
Consistent production elsewhere though was hard to find as despondent Detroit fans started chanting “sell the team”, with the result beyond doubt and a 25th straight loss secured.
“We’re not 2-26 bad. No way are we that bad,” Cunningham said in the post-game press conference.
“I think we can turn it around. I think we can play a better brand of basketball than we’re playing right now. Not as far as the system that we’re playing… but executing our game plans, taking care of the ball, keeping guys in front of you. That has nothing to do with system. “That’s just individuals, that’s the players, we’ve got to be better about that. Tonight I was the head of that snake by far, six turnovers — couldn’t keep nobody in front of me.”
“I am sick right now,” added Cunningham, who was coming off a 43-point performance in a loss to the Hawks.
“We had a shot to win it down the stretch, just wasn’t solid enough.”
TREY MUPRHY SOARS IN PLACE OF ZION
In other early action, New Orleans’ Trey Murphy got the start in place of ailing Zion Williamson and scored 28 points to lead the Pelicans in a 123-104 victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland.
Murphy connected on six of 10 three-point attempts and delivered a solid defensive effort in his first start of the season, and just his ninth game since returning from injury.
“He’s a weapon for us, for sure,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said.
Cleveland, still without Darius Garland as he recovers from a broken jaw and with Donovan Mitchell missing a second straight game due to illness, were led by 20 points from Dean Wade.
FULL NBA SCORES
Pistons 111-119 Jazz
Cavaliers 104-123 Pelicans
Bucks 118-114 Magic
Thunder 134-115 Clippers
Grizzlies 116-103 Pacers
Bulls 114-95 Spurs
Timberwolves 118-111 Lakers
Trail Blazers 117-118 Wizards