Australia’s own Josh Giddey makes NBA history with a unique double-double

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Josh Giddey of Melbourne had a unique double-double on Sunday. In 28 minutes of action, he had 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but zero points. In the process, Giddey became only the second player in National Basketball Association history to get a zero-point double-double, as the Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 117-112.

The first player and only other player to accomplish the feat was Cincinnati Royals guard Norm Van Lier of East Liverpool, Ohio according to Sam Quinn of CBS Sports. Van Lier had 13 assists and 11 rebounds, but zero points in a 146-112 Royals won over the Los Angeles Lakers on January 5, 1971.

With the win, the Thunder improved to 12 wins and 20 losses. The Pelicans meanwhile fell to 12 wins and 22 losses. This was the second noteworthy game between the Pelicans and Thunder this month. On December 15, the Pelicans beat the Thunder 113-110 on a dramatic three-point shot from 61 feet at the buzzer by Devonte’ Graham. 

Heading into the 2021-22 NBA regular season there were eight Australians in the NBA. The other seven are Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Josh Green of Sydney, Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles of Adelaide, Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving of Melbourne, San Antonio Spurs center Jock Landale of Melbourne,  Nets point guard Patty Mills of Canberra, 76ers point guard Ben Simmons of Melbourne, and 76ers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle of Sydney, Australia, according to Yash Matange of Sporting News. However, it should be noted that Thybulle was born in Scottsdale, Arizona and raised as a child in Australia, and that Irving was born in Melbourne, but moved to the United States at two.

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