Australian basketball star Josh Giddey looked completely at home in his NBA postseason debut, as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-118.
That result means the Thunder will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday with the chance to advance into the playoffs, while the Pelicans are now eliminated.
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The Melbourne-born Giddey — still only 20 — produced a stunning performance with 31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. It represented an equal career-high in points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the oldest member of the Thunder starting line-up at 24, also came up big with 32 points, while the 23-year-old Lu Dort finished with 27 points.
It was another remarkable display by Oklahoma City, whose starting line-up had an average age of just over 21. The game was also Giddey’s first experience of high-pressure postseason basketball.
“It was pretty much everything I expected,” Giddey told ESPN afterwards. “A loud crowd, a hostile environment. As a kid you grow up wanting to be in these type of moments.
“I’m glad we came out of here with a win and we move on to the next one. Gilgeous-Alexander said Oklahoma City’s young squad had developed poise under pressure after being “battle-tested” throughout the regular season.
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“We’ve played in a lot of close games and we’ve developed good habits — we know what gets it done down the stretch,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Giddey was already looking ahead to Friday’s date in Minneapolis. “It’s going to be a similar environment — hostile, on the road, a do-or-die game,” Giddey said.
“It’s going to be another test, but as Shai said — we’ve had a lot of close games and none of these moments rattle our guys. We’ll be ready for Minnesota.”
Giddey’s performance drew plenty of praise.
Former NBA player JJ Redick wrote: “Hey Josh Giddey is good.”
The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann wrote: “Giddey has been absolutely fantastic.”
OKC beat writer Brandon Rahbar called his free throws at the death “ice cold”.
“Biggest stage: best game,” he said.
Phoenix sportscaster Tim Ring said Giddey had a “bright future”.
Skip Bayless waxed lyrical about OKC’s young team, calling him a “taller Austin Reaves”, alongside “superstar” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and “defensive force” Luguentz Dort.
“Chet Holmgren will give OKC a legit shot-blocker and stretch 5,” he said.
“15 first-round picks in the next five years. Terrific young coach.
“Yes, I can see a championship in OKC’s future.”