Aussie rookie comes up just short in America

Giddey finished the second of two games against the Denver Nuggets with 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to his name and conceded just three turnovers from 28 minutes’ game time.

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However, the 19-year-old’s mighty effort wasn’t enough to seal back-to-back wins for the Thunder, who went down 113-107 in overtime.

Across four hit-outs in the pre-season, of which the Thunder won just one, Giddey averaged 13.5 points, seven rebounds and five assists. He also shot from the field with 52.3 per cent accuracy and sunk triples at a 40 per cent success rate.

Despite his recent success, Giddey believes he still has a long way to go before achieving his potential at NBA level.

“It’s tough as a young kid coming into the NBA,” he said after the third game of the pre-season.

“With the athletes and the size there is, it takes time. It’s not going to be perfect right away and I’ve learned that.”

The former Adelaide 36ers guard is hoping to take his current form into the Thunder’s regular season, which commences with an away game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday (AEDT).

Giddey will play in front of the Oklahoma City home crowd for the first time in the regular season when the Thunder meets the Philadelphia 76ers the Monday after next (AEDT).

It remains to be seen whether Giddey will come up against fellow Aussie Ben Simmons, whose future at the Sixers remains under a cloud.

Simmons hasn’t featured in any of Philadelphia’s three previous pre-season games and is expected to miss the side’s final match before the start of the regular season.

The 25-year-old is under contract at the Sixers for four more seasons but is understood to be hoping for a trade to a rival side.