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Josh Giddey 'will play' for OKC Thunder as NBA probes alleged relationship with minor

joel lorenzi, the oklahoman
·2 min read

One day after an NBA spokesman said the league was investigating allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor that surfaced in a social media post, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey will continue playing for the team, coach Mark Daigneault said on Saturday.

“Available to play, will play," Daigneault said of Giddey's availability before Saturday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. "No change in status from a basketball standpoint. Still, I have no comment on anything else.”

Asked what makes him comfortable with his decision to play while the league looks into the situation, Daigneault said, “just with the information that we have at this point, that’s the decision that we’ve made. It’s really not even a decision, to be honest with you."

When asked if the NBA looking into things will impact Giddey's availability moving forward, Daigneault said “it’s obviously a league matter at this point," and that "the ball is in their court on that.”

Giddey, in his first public comments since the accusations of a relationship with an underage girl were posted late Wednesday night on X/Twitter, told media after practice on Friday that he has “no further comment right now.”

"I get the question, guys," Giddey added. "I completely understand you guys want to know about it. Just for right now, I don't have anything to say."

Giddey, the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, entered play Saturday averaging 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game for the Thunder.

More: Who makes the OKC Thunder list for 15 best players in team history?

Who is Josh Giddey?

  • Position: Guard

  • Age: 21

  • Previous team: Adelaide 36ers (Australia NBL)

  • Height/weight: 6-8, 218 pounds

  • Salary: $6.6 million

  • 2022-23 stats: 16.6 pts, 7.9 reb, 6.2 ast, 48 FG%, 33 3FG%, 31 mpg

  • Giddey, at age 20, led the Thunder last season in rebounds and assists. He was second behind Gilgeous-Alexander in scoring.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Josh Giddey 'will play' for OKC Thunder as NBA conducts investigation