Josh Giddey Becomes Second Thunder Player Ever to Tally 10 Triple Doubles
Josh Giddey passed a historic milestone on Sunday night in Oklahoma City's win against New York.
Oklahoma City walked out of Madison Square Garden with a gritty, last-second win over the New York Knicks on Sunday night. It looked like the Knicks were in firm control and ready to shut the door on the Thunder before the young squad came rumbling back.
Jalen Williams had a career night and carried the Thunder to victory, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished the job by hitting a game-winner with just seconds left on the clock. But once again, it was another game Oklahoma City wouldn’t have won without Josh Giddey. He has multiple massive buckets in the fourth quarter and threw the inbounds pass to Gilgeous-Alexander for the win. Giddey stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, shooting 7-of-11 from the floor.
His impact on both ends was huge, and he was a +11 in 30 minutes played. With his 10th career triple double, Giddey became the second Thunder player of all time to reach double digit triple doubles in a career.
Of course, Giddey still has quite the trek ahead of him if he plans on coming close to Russell Westbrook’s record. The former Thunder point guard registered 138 triple doubles and is Oklahoma City’s active triple double leader. In all honesty, that’s a record that could stand the duration of the franchise. Giddey has now joined Westbrook as the only Thunder players to pass into the double digit category, though.
Gary Payton has 14 registered triple doubles, which would technically count towards the franchise record books, but Oklahoma City doesn’t typically claim Seattle’s history. Behind Giddey, Kevin Durant totaled seven, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has turned in two, and a handful of Thunder players have recorded one. Among that group, Paul George, Serge Ibaka, Aleksej Pokusevski and Tre Mann.
Ironically, three of Giddey’s 10 triple doubles have come at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks. He’s the only player in NBA history to register three triple doubles in his first three games played at the Garden.
His recent stretch has been stellar, and Oklahoma City is benefiting from it in a big way. He seems to be resembling the player he was a season ago and finding his footing after all. Better late than never, especially with the playoffs on deck.
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