OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Josh Giddey, at 19 years and 84 days old, became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
Giddey reached the feat with four minutes left in the fourth quarter Sunday night against the Dallas Mavericks.
Giddey finished with 17 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds and was spectacular in the Thunder’s 95-86 loss to the Mavericks at Paycom Center.
Giddey, the sixth overall pick in the 2021 draft, rallied the undermanned Thunder in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City cut the lead to four points in the final minute before Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber drilled a dagger 3-pointer.
Giddey is 56 days younger than Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball was when Ball recorded a triple-double last season.
Just as the Thunder took a step forward on the health front, it took two big steps back.
Giddey returned to the starting lineup Sunday after missing three games while in health and safety protocols — making his triple-double even more impressive.
But as the Thunder got Giddey back, it lost top players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (health and safety protocols) and Luguentz Dort (left knee soreness). Darius Bazley, Tre Mann and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl — all in health and safety protocols — remained out.
Acting head coach Mike Wilks started a 24-and-under lineup in Giddey, Ty Jerome, Aleksej Pokusevski, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Roby. Among them, Roby had the most career starts (38) coming into Sunday.
The Mavericks got Luka Doncic back from a 10-game absence.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Josh Giddey become youngest player with triple-double in NBA history