Josh Giddey hails leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Oklahoma City Thunder prevail
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Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder (centre) shooting against Jonas Valanciunas (left) and Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW ORLEANS – Josh Giddey recorded 31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder remained alive for a Western Conference play-off spot by notching a 123-118 victory over the hosts New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday in a play-in game.
Despite the rising Australian point guard’s heroics, he deflected praise to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who is fourth in the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) scoring charts with an average of 31.4 points per game, scored 25 of his game-high 32 points in the second half and Luguentz Dort added 27 points for the Thunder.
They face the Minnesota Timberwolves next on Friday, with the winners earning the No. 8 seed in the West and will meet the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA play-offs.
Said 20-year-old Giddey of All-Star Gilgeous-Alexander: “When your leader is not flustered and under control out there, it’s a spiral effect. Guys see that and feed off it.”
At just 24, Canadian Gilgeous-Alexander is the Thunder’s elder statesman and oldest member of their starting line-up. Compatriot Dort is 23.
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, post-season basketball.
“It was pretty much everything I expected,” Giddey told ESPN.
“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.”
Gilgeous-Alexander said Oklahoma City’s young squad had developed poise under pressure after being “battle-tested” throughout the regular season.
“We’ve played in a lot of close games and we’ve developed good habits – we know what gets it done down the stretch,” he added.
He was proof of that, rebounding from a one of his worst first halves of the campaign statistically to explode with 25 points in the second half. He also tallied eight points in the final 1min 40sec.
Giddey was already looking ahead to Friday’s date in Minneapolis. He said: “It’s going to be a similar environment – hostile, on the road, a do-or-die game.
“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.”
Brandon Ingram registered 30 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Pelicans, who were outscored by 11 points in the second half.
Trey Murphy III scored 21 points, Herbert Jones added 20 and Jonas Valanciunas contributed 16 points and 18 rebounds for New Orleans.
The Pelicans were again without oft-injured 2019 No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson, who has not played since Jan 2 due to a hamstring injury. REUTERS, AFP
