Josh Giddey’s All-Star debut didn’t get off to an ideal start, with his team pulling out of the Rising Stars tournament.
Playing for Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy, Giddey played alongside stars like Tyrese Maxey of the Sixers and Jalen Green of the Rockets to name just two on Team Worthy.
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Continuing his rich vein of form, the rookie sensation has two points, nine rebounds and six assists in Team Worthy’s opener of the new Rising Stars tournament format, where the first team to score 50 points in a game is the winner.
And despite the worthy side leading 49-46 in the dying minutes of the match, Team Isiah staged a late comeback before winning the charity stripe match after a late foul in an all-time bottle job.
Giddey then teamed up with Evan Mobley in the clutch challenge and put on an early show, with the pair draining their first four straight shots.
The challenge was won by Desmond Bane and Tyrese Haliburton.
While Giddey’s Rising Stars Tournament may be over, he will compete as a member of a three-rookie team in the Skills Challenge against a team consisting of the three Antetokounmpo brothers (Giannis, Alex and Thanasis) as well as a Cleveland trio Cavaliers players as All-Star weekend rolls around the city.
The 19-year-old has been in sensational form for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, claiming the record for not only the youngest triple-double in NBA history, but also the four the youngest.
In a memorable week, Giddey scored a career-high 28 points against the New York Knicks on Tuesday (AEDT).
He followed that up with a triple-double against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, with 17 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to his name.
With that stat line, Giddey joined fellow Australians Ben Simmons and Luka Doncic as the only players in the last 25 years to have four triple-doubles in their rookie season.
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RISING STARS RESULTS
Worthy of team 49 Team Isiah 50
Team Payton 48 Barry 50 Team
FINAL
Team Isiah vs. Team Barry
LISTS OF RISING STARS
Worthy of the team
Josh Giddey (Thunder)
Cole Anthony (Magic)
MarJon Beauchamp (League G)
Jalen Green (Rockets)
Herbert Jones (Pelicans)
Jalen Suggs (Magic)
Payton Team
LaMelo Ball (Hornets)
Scottie Barnes (Raptors)
Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls)
Scott Henderson (League G)
Bones Hyland (nuggets)
Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors)
Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves)
Team Isiah
Precious Achiuwa (Raptors)
Desmond Bane (Grizzlies)
Saddiq Bey (pistons)
Anthony Edwards (Timber Wolves)
Tyrese Haliburton (Kings)
Jaden Hardy (League G)
Isaiah Stewart (pistons)
Barry’s Team
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)
Dyson Daniels (League G)
Evan Mobley (rider)
Isaac Okoro (rider)
Alperen Sengun (Rockets)
Jae’Sean Tate (Rockets)
Franz Wagner (Magic)
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