Josh Giddey has been denied what was one of the longest shots to ever sink through the net in the NBA the Chicago Bulls fell short against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Another loss was the latest blow for the Australian star’s team, defeated by the Lakers 129-188 on Tuesday (AEDT).
But it was one epic moment in the final quarter of the match by the Aussie star, who has been nothing short of impressive this season, that left a Bulls legend in awe.
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Giddey had just collected a defensive rebound when he effortlessly sent the ball flying from the opposite three-point line and into the net, giving fans no reaction as he did so.
Josh Giddey seen preparing to make a 75ft shot. Twitter
“Oh my gosh, magic Giddey again,” Bulls legend Stacey King said in commentary.
“There’s something about the Lakers uniform with this kid. Wow.”
However, the shot did not give the Bulls any extra points on the scoreboard as Giddey released the ball just seconds after the referee’s whistle sounded to signal a timeout.
Former Charlotte Hornets star Baron Davis holds the record for the longest shot ever made in the game, sinking the ball through the hoop from 27m away in 2001.
Had the shot from Giddey counted, it would have been one of the six longest shots ever made. Commentators declared the shot was roughly 75ft (23m) long.
Josh Giddey drives to the basket. NBAE via Getty Images
Luka Doncic scored 46 points and handed out 11 assists and LeBron James contributed 24 points as the Los Angeles Lakers earned the win against the hosting Bulls.
Rui Hachimura added 23 points and Marcus Smart had 12 for the Lakers, who won for the fourth time in five games while stopping the Bulls’ four-game winning streak.
Chicago scored 24 of the first 36 points in the third quarter to whittle a 13-point half time deficit to one. Nikola Vucevic swished a pair of free throws at the 6:42 mark to draw the Bulls within 81-80, but the Lakers quickly regrouped.
Smart converted a three-point play that started Los Angeles on a quick 8-0 run that helped regain control. Doncic scored 20 points in the third on 6-of-9 shooting. He sank eight 3-pointers and matched Jarred Vanderbilt for the team high with seven rebounds.
The Bulls started 16-for-31 from long range but missed 16 of their last 18 attempts.
Coby White produced 23 points to pace Chicago. Ayo Dosunmu followed with 20 points while Vucevic notched 18 points and 11 rebounds. Giddey totalled 19 points and seven assists, Jalen Smith put up 13 points and Matas Buzelis had 11.
James shined in his most productive first half of the season, scoring 20 points on 9-for-15 shooting to spark the Lakers to a 69-56 lead at the break.
LeBron James reacts to a call during the second half against the Chicago Bulls. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
James unleashed multiple powerful dunks, including a breakaway slam in transition to tie the game at 10 in the first quarter.
Doncic followed with 17 first-half points on 6-for-10 shooting as the Lakers led by as many as 20 before the break.
Chicago closed the half on a 7-0 run. Dosunmu bookended the spurt with a trey and a driving layup. Giddey and White paced the Bulls with 11 first-half points apiece.
The Lakers’ Drew Timme sustained an injury to his right eye when Dosunmu was whistled for an offensive foul after elbowing him in the face early in the second quarter.
Officials reviewed the play for a possible flagrant foul, but it was ruled a common foul.
Timme was cleared to return but remained on the bench.
– Additional reporting by Alyssa Bone