![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765088290_713_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Plus, veteran Joe Ingles has been his usual trash-talking self in Minnesota.<\/p>\n
Read on for the latest with the Australians in the NBA!<\/p>\n
JOSH GIDDEY (Chicago Bulls)<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no shying away from it. Josh Giddey and the Bulls are in a massive slump.<\/p>\n
After a 6-1 start, they\u2019ve dropped their last seven games \u2014 the longest losing streak in the NBA \u2014 and fallen to 9-14 overall to sit outside the play-in.<\/p>\n
As the main leader of this team, Giddey has to take responsibility for that \u2014 and he has \u2014 even though he\u2019s been the Bulls\u2019 biggest shining light and their main issues lie elsewhere.<\/p>\n
In fact, while the Aussie\u2019s numbers have dipped slightly to where they were over the first few weeks of the season, he\u2019s still averaging career-highs across the board in points (20.3 per game), 3-pointers (1.8 makes on 39.6 per cent shooting), rebounds (9.5) and assists (8.9).<\/p>\n
And Giddey has the second-most triple doubles this season (five) behind Nikola Jokic.<\/p>\n
Respected NBA commentator Tim Legler said on The Zach Lowe Show he\u2019d still have Giddey as one of his 12 All-Star picks in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n
The 23-year old very much took accountability for the team\u2019s recent woes including concerning defeats to the lowly ranked Pelicans, Hornets, Pacers (twice) and a depleted Warriors over their current losing streak.<\/p>\n
Giddey put their recent woes down to an inability to execute in the fourth quarter including giving up too many offensive rebounds and not getting into offensive sets quick enough.<\/p>\n
Giddey stuffs the stat sheet in Bulls W | 02:08<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of that\u2019s probably on me \u2014 I\u2019ve got to get us better organised in those last two, three minutes so we can get good looks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can live or die by good shots. Whether you make or miss them is going to vary on different nights.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we\u2019ve lost a lot of games where we just haven\u2019t executed on both sides of the ball \u2014 and that\u2019s a sour feeling because it\u2019s in your control.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce we flip that, we\u2019ll be a lot better down the stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giddey said Chicago\u2019s five-day break between games, with its next match against Charlotte on Saturday, was \u201cmuch-needed\u201d to give the team a chance to reset and get players back, adding the team remains more focused and connected than when it was winning.<\/p>\n
But he said \u201cat some point you have to look in the mirror\u201d and had faith the Bulls had what it takes to turn things around.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel good. I mean, my body feels good, I feel healthy,\u201d Giddey added.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously we\u2019re playing very undermanned, but it\u2019s not an excuse. I believe we\u2019ve got enough in this locker room \u2014 when we\u2019re fully healthy \u2014 to win games … I\u2019m fully confident, and we\u2019re confident in the guys that we have. And I love taking on that responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously I would have loved for it to translate to more wins in the last six or seven games, but that\u2019s probably the next step for me; how I can, when we\u2019ve got guys out, will our team to wins.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re right there \u2014 it\u2019s not like we\u2019re getting blown out. I think, bar maybe one or two games, we\u2019re right there.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery game is coming up to crunch time. So we\u2019ve got to figure out ways to be better down the stretch and obviously a lot of that falls on me handling the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I\u2019ll continue to get better on that, watch film, and learn how I can improve that area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giddey denied call in heartbreaking loss | 00:45<\/p>\n
On a broader team front, the next question for Giddey and the Bulls moving forward is that if their season continues to spiral out of control what do they do at the trade deadline?<\/p>\n
Chicago had been linked to Anthony Davis and generally considered potential buyers after its strong start to the year, but the recent decline has exposed the team\u2019s shortcomings and once again given credence to the idea the Bulls are better off instead selling at the deadline. <\/p>\n
As it relates to Giddey, CHGO Sport\u2019s Matt Peck has been one of the biggest sceptics of the Australian\u2019s game since the trade and while even he has come around to embracing just how much Giddey can impact winning on a nightly basis, he posed an interesting question recently.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy question this whole time since the Giddey-Caruso trade was if your team\u2019s best player is Josh Giddey, how good is your team? Tonight was a scary dose of that question,\u201d Peck said after the Bulls\u2019 loss to the tanking Nets.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not a knock on Josh Giddey. I thought Josh Giddey had a great game tonight. Tonight was peak Josh Giddey… and the Bulls lost by 10 to a bottom-feeder. I\u2019m not blaming Josh for the loss… how good is your team if Josh Giddey is your best player.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is a fair question to ask because while Giddey has played at an All-Star level this season, if you look around the league any of the championship contenders have a genuine superstar who is the clear leading scoring option and can dominate in the playoffs.<\/p>\n
Coby White hasn\u2019t proven he can consistently be that guy and his future beyond this year is clouded given his contract situation, with reports on Friday the Timberwolves have called the Bulls to gauge a potential trade.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Giddey \u2014 as incredible as he has been at times this season \u2014 profiles as more of a second option.<\/p>\n
It is just another question for the Bulls to consider ahead of the trade deadline and moving forward as they build around Giddey.<\/p>\n
Fan ejected after clash with Giddey | 00:46<\/p>\n
DYSON DANIELS (Atlanta Hawks)<\/p>\n
The defensive dynamo has taken a while to get going on the offensive side of the ball, despite the ongoing absence of backcourt partner and star guard Trae Young.<\/p>\n
But Daniels started to find his groove from mid-November. From his last 12 games, Daniels has averaged 13.1 points on 49-per cent shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.1 steals in 35.5 minutes.<\/p>\n
The assists are up, unsurprisingly with Young out, and his scoring numbers are more in line with where they were last year, even if he\u2019s not shooting the 3-ball well.<\/p>\n
You can always count on the 22-year old defensively. Though he bizarrely didn\u2019t record a steal in his most recent outing against Washington after his run of getting a swipe in 70-straight games \u2014 the fourth-longest in NBA history \u2014 ended a fortnight ago also against the Wizards.<\/p>\n
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. (AP Photo\/Nick Wass)Source: AP<\/p>\n
This is a player who recorded four steals in a quarter earlier this month! And became the sixth-youngest player in NBA history to reach 400 steals. His average of 2.3 seals per game currently sit second to OKC\u2019s Cason Wallace.<\/p>\n
Daniels\u2019 defensive rating of 113.5 doesn\u2019t read great, albeit, a number that\u2019s largely a by-product of the team. However he\u2019s still rated elite in perimeter isolation defence (ranked No. 1 in the NBA) and ball screen navigation (No. 4), per BBall Index.<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-7 guard is just not quite at the absolute elite level as last season, when he was a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate and set an extremely high bar. <\/p>\n
He remains a top-level perimeter stopper and of the most versatile defenders in the NBA that can switch onto basically any player.<\/p>\n
You have to remind yourself Daniels is still only in year four and coming into his own as an NBA player.<\/p>\n
TYRESE PROCTOR (Cleveland Cavaliers)<\/p>\n
In what\u2019s been an indifferent start to the season for the Cavs, Proctor has had an impressive rookie season and proven to be a bargain pickup with the No. 49 pick.<\/p>\n
So much so that the guard is earning more trust from Kenny Atkinson and minutes in the rotation. <\/p>\n
The 21-year old has played double-digit minutes in four-straight games including an 11-point performance against the Clippers and 12-point performance against Indiana. <\/p>\n
How much of it has to do with Cleveland being undermanned is a bit of unknown, but the youngster is certainly making the most of his opportunities. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s finding his niche as a creative scorer off the bench that can play both on and off the ball. If he can bump up his 31 per cent 3-point percentage, which has been a problem for the Cavs across the board, he could force Atkinson\u2019s hand to play him more.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s averaged 5.6 points in 12.4 minutes across 18 of a possible 25 games.<\/p>\n
Proctor has impressed in his rookie year. Jason Miller\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
Proctor\u2019s defensive numbers are also encouraging, with the Duke product ranked No. 1 among all rookies in defensive field goal percentage.<\/p>\n
\u201cTyrese is just talented as heck,\u201d Atkinson said after Proctor scored 12 points in a season-high 23 minutes for the shorthanded Cavs in a win over Miami las month.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe handles, he can shoot, he\u2019s got gumption, he\u2019s got swag, I think he\u2019s going to play in this league a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s so skilled and a tough kid, he was great for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
LUKE TRAVERS (Cleveland Cavaliers)<\/p>\n
Travers is putting together a big season in the G League and getting more reps in the NBA as a result.<\/p>\n
The two-way forward has averaged 22.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, five assists, 2.7 triples, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks for the Cleveland Charge in six games.<\/p>\n
And though Travers has featured sparingly in the NBA, he\u2019s already appeared in 11 games, just one short of his 12 games for the entirety of last season.<\/p>\n
Like with Proctor, Cleveland\u2019s injuries have opened up minutes. But Travers has put his best foot forward too and making a case for regular rotation minutes.<\/p>\n
Travers was among the Cavs players Atkinson acknowledged after his undermanned side\u2019s win over Miami last month.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen it\u2019s great sign of a good program, when you have young guys who haven\u2019t been playing then all of the sudden they can come in and get an NBA win,\u201d the Cleveland coach said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know the cost of NBA win, it\u2019s hard, it\u2019s hard to get a win… I just thought about all the hard work those guys did all summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
JOHNNY FURPHY (Indiana Pacers)<\/p>\n
He\u2019s back!<\/p>\n
After missing over a month with an ankle injury, Furphy returned to the court last week and played rotation minutes straight off the bat.<\/p>\n
But he hasn\u2019t logged over 16 minutes in his three games since getting back as the Pacers cautiously manage his workload.<\/p>\n
Furphy missed a large chunk of the pre-season with foot and ankle issues, so it might take some time for the second-year wing to get going.<\/p>\n
Indiana coach Rick Carlisle was optimistic about what the athletic Aussie, who NBA legend Vince Carter sensationally said he wants to see in the Slam Dunk Contest, could bring to his side this season.<\/p>\n
Indiana coach Carlisle said Furphy would get plenty of opportunities for the short-handed Pacers this season in what\u2019s essentially a gap year with Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) sidelined.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe adds depth and adds a different kind of player than we have,\u201d Carlisle said earlier this month.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a great runner. He\u2019s a great rebounder. He\u2019s a terrific finisher. He\u2019s a very good defensive player, very solid. All of the elements of his skill set are improving. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe needs to be on the floor. This recovery was over a month now. We\u2019ve been very careful with it because it\u2019s not just a matter of when can you get him out there, we have to get him out there at the right time when he\u2019s passed all the tests to the best that he can. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to watch the minutes carefully. This will be a new beginning, and I believe he can add a different element.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnny Furphy guards Jamal Murray. Dylan Buell\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
The 6-18 Pacers, who\u2019ve been decimated by injuries to other key players but are slowly getting healthy again, have played much better recently with four wins from their last six games.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very exciting. Obviously it\u2019s been a longer rehab than I anticipated, but I\u2019m very excited to be back,\u201d Furphy said ahead of his return. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of tests and different things, working with balance and I think I\u2019m ready. It was a combination of testing it out, trying to replicate game scenarios, being able to push off and jump off.\u201d<\/p>\n
It comes after NBA legend Vince Carter said last month he wants to see the athletic Aussie in the 2026 All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s bring it back, we don\u2019t want to hang on to the old guys, the Dr Js, the MJs, it\u2019s the new guys turn. We want you to bring it up, so come on and join us,\u201d Carter said on NBC.<\/p>\n
Over to you, Adam Silver.<\/p>\n
JOE INGLES (Minnesota Timberwolves)<\/p>\n
We finally got another Joe Ingles sighting! <\/p>\n
For, *checks notes*, less than three seconds. Technically, he didn\u2019t touch the court.<\/p>\n
The 38-year old veteran was called up for an inbound pass in the final 7.5 seconds of Minnesota\u2019s tight finish against the LA Clippers last week to ensure the Timberwolves got a clean entry.<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t even show up on the box score, but would\u2019ve been Ingles\u2019 fifth appearance this season as he\u2019s very much in his locker room veteran days. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s still never a dull moment with Ingles.<\/p>\n
Fellow Wolves veteran Mike Conley suggested as much at a recent press conference when he revealed Ingles is still trying to get Conley his first ever NBA technical foul.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe will do stuff like when we stand up on the bench and you\u2019re not allowed to step on the court, he will try to push me on the court while a game is going on or something, so I can get a tech\u201d Conley said with a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a wild guy, but I\u2019m not going to get one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Never change, Joe.<\/p>\n
JOCK LANDALE (Memphis Grizzlies)<\/p>\n
He initially moved into a bench role following Zach Edey\u2019s return from off-season ankle surgery, but with Edey set to miss at least four weeks due to a stress reaction in his left ankle the Australian is set to get more extended playing time. <\/p>\n
Landale had already proven himself one of the most reliable backup centres in the NBA to open the season, with a strong performance in Memphis\u2019 most recent win over Portland seeing Landale tally 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes. <\/p>\n
He also dropped an equal career-best 26 points in a matchup against Nikola Jokic and the Denver in November.<\/p>\n
Despite Landale\u2019s move to the bench, the 30-year old is still having a career-best season. He\u2019s averaged career-highs across the board in points (10.9), rebounds (5.4), assists (1.5) and 3-pointers (one per game on 43.1 per cent shooting) in 21.4 minutes.<\/p>\n
As solid as Landale was as a starter, Edey\u2019s return has helped sparked life into the 11-13 Grizzlies\u2019 season, with the team going 7-2 over its last nine games to climb into the No. 9 seed in the West. <\/p>\n
While Ja Morant is still yet to come back from injury, there\u2019s some uncertainty around where Memphis\u2019 season and goes and the potential it becomes a seller at February trade deadline.<\/p>\n
And former All-Star Michael Redd believes Landale could be a good get for a playoff team looking to bolter its bench.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a deep cut, but Jock Landale really is a decent bench big,\u201d Redd posted on X.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy the way he plays. I haven\u2019t done the front office work — salary, eligibility, etc. — but would theoretically be a nice bench addition for a playoff team that needs a little punch for a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
DUOP REATH (Portland Trail Blazers)<\/p>\n
Reath entered the season buried on the depth chart behind recent first-round draft picks Yang Hansen and Donovan Clingan along with veteran Robert Williams.<\/p>\n
However, the Australian will step into a featured role against New Orleans on Friday as the only healthy big man on the roster with Hansen (face), Clingan (leg) and Robert Williams (illness) all unavailable.<\/p>\n
Reath is probably more suited anyway to his previous rotation role off the bench, where he has provided the Trail Blazers with a different look in the frontcourt as a floor-spacing big without needing to expend as much energy on the defensive end.<\/p>\n
He has seen 14.7 minutes per game in a more extended role this month, averaging 7.7 points and 2.3 rebounds while making five of his seven 3-point attempts. <\/p>\n
LACHLAN OLBRICH (Chicago Bulls)<\/p>\n
Olbrich has seen limited playing time in the NBA, with just six appearances to his name so far this season. Although as a late second-round pick, it was never the expectation that he would play right away let alone even see the court in his rookie year.<\/p>\n
Back in the G League, Olbrich is doing everything he can to prove he deserves another call-up to the NBA with a statement 33-point game for the Windy City Bulls against the Grand Rapids Gold.<\/p>\n
He added nine rebounds and three assists to that career-high haul in what was an ultra-efficient night for the Australian, who went 14-for-20 from the field.<\/p>\n
Olbrich is averaging 19.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists in nine G League games this season. <\/p>\n
The more the Bulls lose in the NBA the better the chances are that Olbrich will get another call-up if Chicago\u2019s season is lost and the team prioritises seeing what it has in its younger players.<\/p>\n
That would be especially true should Nikola Vucevic be traded since it would open up minutes for Olbrich in the frontcourt rotation.<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Saraf drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Lachlan Olbrich. (AP Photo\/Nam Y. Huh)Source: AP<\/p>\n
ROCCO ZIKARSKY (Minnesota Timberwolves)<\/p>\n
Unlike Olbrich, it is hard to see Zikarsky getting any NBA minutes this season given he was more of a draft and stash developmental prospect.<\/p>\n
With that in mind, expect Zikarsky to continue to see big minutes in the G League where he will have more freedom to make mistakes and learn along the way.<\/p>\n
Naturally at 7-foot-3, the 19-year-old is already proving to be an imposing figure at the rim and will continue to grow more confident into using his size to attack with more force on the offensive end. <\/p>\n
His finishing in general is also a work in progress, but Zikarsky is surprisingly skilful and nimble for his size and continues to prove that in the G League, where he is averaging 13.3 points and 6.5 rebounds.<\/p>\n
JOSH GREEN (Charlotte Hornets)<\/p>\n
Green is set to make his season debut on Saturday against the Bulls after missing the first two months of the season, having undergone left shoulder surgery in June.<\/p>\n
It will be a welcome return for the Hornets, who will be without LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann for the match-up with Chicago, meaning Green could see more on-ball reps in his return but he is more likely moving forward to settle in to a complementary role off the bench as a 3-and-D wing.<\/p>\n
MATISSE THYBULLE (Portland Trail Blazers)<\/p>\n
Thybulle remains sidelined after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. <\/p>\n
The Australian underwent the procedure in late October and was expected to miss between four to six weeks, meaning his return to play should theoretically be nearing but there have been no updates as of late on when Thybulle could be back in the line-up.<\/p>\n
DANTE EXUM (Dallas Mavericks)<\/p>\n
Exum\u2019s luckless run with injuries continued this season, with the Mavericks guard ruled out for the rest of the season due to complications with his right knee that will require surgery.<\/p>\n
ALEX TOOHEY (Golden State Warriors)<\/p>\n
Toohey was waived by the Warriors earlier in the week, with the Australian requiring season-ending knee surgery. <\/p>\n
Golden State drafted Toohey 52nd overall but he struggled to stay healthy, playing just two G League games. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It has been another busy few weeks of action for the Australians in the NBA, with Josh Giddey\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":342161,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,85],"class_list":["post-342160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nba","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342160"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342160\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/342161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}