Josh Giddey brushes away injury fears as he becomes youngest since Michael Jordan to achieve rare feat
Josh Giddey has posted 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double this season to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 116-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giddey, who missed the previous four games with an ankle injury, sank two free throws with 10 seconds left to make it 115-111, then pulled down a rebound to help seal it as Chicago snapped a three-game losing streak.
The 22-year-old's success in the game made him the first Bulls player to record multiple triple-doubles in a single season since Jimmy Butler in 2017. He is the youngest to achieve the feat since Michael Jordan.
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Having been sidelined due to injury in previous weeks, Giddey gave his coach little choice but to name him to take to the court.
His efforts did not go unnoticed by Billy Donovan.
"I've seen growth in that area and I've seen competitiveness in that area," Donovan said of Giddey's development in defence.
Josh Giddey sinks a three pointer against the Milwaukee Bucks. Getty
"He's got size, he's got length and he's got good feet. I think the biggest thing is how he can navigate screening actions and I think he fought through a lot.
"He's capable but he's got to do it consistently … when you point out things to him, he realises areas (he needs to improve).
"He enjoys watching film, he wants to find ways to get better. He's been willing to grow in that area and I've seen significant progress."
Giddey had two consecutive contests on Khris Middleton, his efforts forcing the Bucks forward to sink just one of two shot attempts.
"Josh has got length so just trying not to foul him and trying to make him shoot over him was what we hoped," Donovan continued.
"He made a couple in the lane and he's hard to handle because he's got size. He can get it off but I thought Josh really competed and battled defensively."
Nikola Vucevic rebounds the ball. NBAE via Getty Images
Nikola Vucevic had 23 points and 13 rebounds. Coby White, who scored 22, nailed a tie-breaking jumper with 32 seconds remaining.
Damian Lillard returned to the lineup with 29 points and 12 assists, but the Bucks dropped their second straight.
The star guard came on with 18 points in the second half as Milwaukee played without NBA scoring leader Giannis Antetokounmpo due to illness for a fourth consecutive game.
Brook Lopez had 22 points and Middleton scored 17 of his 21 in the first half.
Middleton, under a minutes restriction following off-season ankle surgery, played sparingly in the second half before hitting two key baskets late.
The Bulls led 62-60 at halftime after opening a pair of 13-point leads.
The Bucks play at Indiana on January 2 (AEDT). The Bulls are at Charlotte on Tuesday.
