After a slow start to the season, Josh Giddey is starting to turn things around.
Plus the latest on Ben Simmons’ injury situation, and the team Aussie hoops fans should make one of their most watched.
Below foxsports.com.au looks at how all the Australians in the NBA have been tracking in recent weeks.
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Giddey guides Thunder to statement win | 01:38
JOSH GIDDEY (OKC Thunder)
After a rough patch for Giddey as he adjusts to a different Thunder system and plays through the ongoing off-court investigation, he’s starting to turn things around.
Over his last 13 games, the Aussie has averaged 12.6 points on 53 per cent shooting from the field and 82 per cent shooting from the line with 6.2 rebounds, five assists and 1.3 three-pointers to help revive his season, while it came in the midst of an 80 Thunder run.
It included Giddey scoring 20-plus points with four-plus triples in two of his last five games.
The outside stroke in particular is encouraging in the part of Giddey’s game he’s still looking to become more consistent with.
If he can start punishing opposition sides when they leave him open at the three-point line, not only will he start commanding more time on the court — currently averaging a career-low 25.2 minutes per game — it’ll also help unlock another level for the 24-11 Thunder.
For at times, Giddey has played himself off the court as OKC coach Mark Daigneault has extended opportunities to others who’ve been greater positives and thus helped the team win games.
Not only is Giddey shooting the ball better, he generally looks more comfortable out on the floor and is getting to better spots for better looks at the bucket, or to execute the right play.
Locked On Thunder’s Rylan Styles after the team’s win over the Celtics earlier this month was impressed by Giddey’s ability to make adjustments in game as a sign of maturity from the 21-year old.
“This was when Josh Giddey hit his stride last year — the end of December, through January and into the Rising Stars game — that’s where he hit his peak,” Styles noted.
“The beginning of this season was inexcusable and was not up to Josh Giddey’s standards, the Thunder’s standards or anyone’s standards … but we’ve seen this song. If he can build some consistency, he might build into form.
“It feels like Josh Giddey has been around forever, (but) he’s 21 years old. Giving him some time to figure it out isn’t the worst thing in the world and it’s paid off the last few weeks.”
BEN SIMMONS (Brooklyn Nets)
We still don’t know when we’ll next see Simmons, who’s been sidelined since early November with an impingement in his lower left back.
But the most recent update suggested it mightn’t be too far away.
Nets coach Jacque Vaugh revealed over the weekend the 26-year old was able to get some on-court work done and was progressing in his rehab.
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“He actually had a workout today,” Vaughn said of Simmons, who’s featured in only six games this season and missed the last 30.
“Still progressing, which is good. The ability to get on court with multiple bodies around him (Simmons). So, that’s kind of where he’s at and just building from here. So, some good signs moving forward.”
As important as it is for the Nets to play the long game with Simmons, who has a history of lower body injuries, they’d be desperate for him to return, having dropped 11 of their last 14 games tom currently sit just inside the play-in qualification.
DYSON DANIELS (New Orleans Pelicans)
It’s been a solid start to the year for Daniels, who’s seen his minutes trend up despite the Pelicans getting back to full strength.
Bleacher Report has clearly taken notice of the exciting second-year player though — it ranked Daniels 19th in the publisher’s annual story on the best NBA players aged under 22 released over the weekend — and he was rated higher than Rockets young gun and former Pick 2 Jalen Green.
What Daniels’ role would look like when the likes of CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy returned from injury was an unknown, but it’s clear Willie Green views Daniels as a key member off his bench.
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The young Aussie has averaged 7.5 points, one triple, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals in 24.5 minutes across four games in January, providing his usual defensive tenacity.
It’s Daniels’ offensive game he’s sill looking to develop, however he had his best scoring effort for the season in New Orleans’ 133-130 blowout win over Sacramento this week.
The 20-year-old dropped 14 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting including 2-of-2 from downtown, adding five rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes.
JOSH GREEN (Dallas Mavericks)
After missing 12 games through December with a right elbow sprain, Green is back and starting for the Mavericks.
He had his best game since returning from the injury against Golden State on December 31, scoring 18 points with three triples.
Speaking after the game, the 23-year old said he was embracing an “aggressive” approach, taking on more responsibility on the offensive end while Kyrie Irving was sidelined.
“I’ve always been the guy just waiting for my turn and trying to be the best teammate I can be,” Green said, per DallasBasketball.com.
“But I think a part of that is I need to understand that I can’t pass up open shots. So I just came out aggressive.”
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Green initially suffered the injury in a game against Memphis in early December. After initially trying to play through it, he couldn’t shoot without experience pain, thus requiring a stint on the sidelines, while he suffered the same injury last year.
“It’s unfortunate,” Green said. “I finally felt like I was getting into rhythm right before the injury. So I was kind of devastated about that. It’s always tough getting plugged into a team in the middle of a season off an injury, especially team is playing really well.”
The Mavs showed their faith in Green by re-signing him to a three-year $41 million deal, and he’ll now look to make an impact as a key part of the rotation in the team’s playoff push.
DANTE EXUM(Dallas Mavericks)
Despite being sidelined for the last three games with a right plantar fascia sprain — an injury he’s battled since the end of December — Exum has very much rejuvenated his career at the Mavericks after a two-year stint in Europe.
Stepping up for Jason Kidd’s squad while it battled injuries, Exum dazzled in December — he averaged 15.3 points on 60.6 per cent shooting from the field and 84 per cent from the line with 1.6 triples on 53.3 per cent shooting, adding 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and one steal.
With it, Exum commanded a bigger role for the Mavs even when they got back to full strength, with Kidd opting to move him into the starting line-up permanently.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m starting or coming off of the bench,” Exum said at a post-game press conference on December 22.
“I think, for me, it’s always going into the game with the same mindset. Obviously, it’s nice to start and be rewarded by that, but I want to go in, win every game and play as hard as I can. As long as I’m on the court and I’m able to do that.”
While Exum has thrived in the starting line-up, it still remains to be seen how he’ll fare playing alongside Kyrie Irving, who’s return from injury coincided with Exum’s latest setback.
Kidd however suggested the plan is to deploy Exum, whose two-year, $6 million contract suddenly looks like serious value for Dallas, as a third ball handler to supplement Luka Doncic and Irving.
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“When we got him, that’s kind of the role (we envisioned for him), the third point guard,” Kidd said during a postgame press conference on December 24.
“But what he’s done is put himself as a starter, and we’ll keep him as a starter. If we’re healthy tomorrow, he’s going to start with Kai (Irving) and Luka.
“When you have three ball handlers, I think we’ve figured that philosophy out. That ingredient of having three playmakers out there makes the game easier for Kai and Luka and puts a lot of pressure on their defence. To have Exum out there, it helps.”
Fellow Aussie Josh Green recently heaped praise on Exum after the team’s win over Golden State on December 31, saying “his pace is amazing.”
With the pair now both slated for big roles on the same team, the Mavericks will be must-watch for Aussie hoops fans.
“He plays so fast, but also like so slow sometimes. He has a very good stop on him. He’s very good,” Green said.
“(On the) World Cup team, he’s very good with his back to the basket and posting up and being able to create a shot for himself. He’s very impressive.”
JOCK LANDALE (Houston Rockets)
Landale continues to see limited minutes for the Rockets as they opt to play smaller and deploy Jeff Green as Alperen Sengun’s backup centre.
It comes despite Landale being rewarded for his strong form for Phoenix last season with a four-year, $32 million deal.
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That’s a reasonable chunk of salary to be sitting on the bench most nights, so could Landale be on trade watch for a team in the market for another big?
It’s tough to see the situation changing anytime soon for the much-improved Rockets, who are 18-17 and in the playoff mix.
JOE INGLES (Orlando Magic)
Ingles on Wednesday will miss his 13th-straight game due to an ankle injury, and the 36-year old Aussie veteran’s return doesn’t appear to be on the horizon given he doesn’t have a timeline.
After Orlando enjoyed such a strong start to the season, Ingles’ absence has coincided with the team falling away, dropping seven of its last 12 games … coincidence?
While that decline mightn’t seem too drastic, the Magic, who once occupied the second seed in the East, are now sliding towards .500 with a 21-15 record.
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The team has missed Ingles’ playmaking off the bench even moreso with Markelle Fultz battling a knee injury, leaving Jamahl Mosley’s backcourt thin.
That along with the Magic’s general improvement makes it one of the more intriguing teams to keep an eye on ahead of the trade deadline.
Ingles signed a two-year, $22 million deal with Orlando in the off-season.
DUOP REATH (Portland Trail Blazers)
With Deandre Ayton sidelined for the Blazers, Reath is making the most of his opportunities.
Drawing starts at centre in the team’s last two games, he’s averaged 15.5 points, 10 rebounds, two triples and 1.5 blocks in 34 minutes.
That’s boosted by Reath racking up his first NBA career double-double in an overtime win over Brooklyn this week — Reath tallied 15 points and personal bests in rebounds (13), blocks (three) and minutes (41).
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It comes after Reath starred for Portland with a career-best 25 points in Portland’s win over Sacramento on December 28, with the floor-spacing big’s outside stroke proving particularly valuable.
Signed to a two-way deal for the Blazers, the 27-year old is now not only making his case to have it converted to a standard NBA contract, but also to start at centre for the Boomers at the Paris Olympics.
MATISSE THYBULLE (Portland Trail Blazers)
Thybulle’s role for the Blazers has been inconsistent this season, starting in 13 of his 34 appearances.
That’s been partly due to Portland battling a host of injuries, with Chauncey Billups’ squad only getting healthy in recent times.
Not Thybulle though. He missed only his first game of the season in Portland’s overtime win over Brooklyn this week, but played only 14 minutes off the bench in their previous game against Dallas, with his time on the court trending in the wrong direction.
Still however one of the game’s elite defenders, it wouldn’t be a shock if the 26-year old was traded for the second time in 12 months given the 10-25 Blazers are prioritising giving opportunities to their youngsters.
Thybulle’s total 56 steals this season ranks second in the NBA to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
PATTY MILLS (Atlanta Hawks)
The veteran Aussie has stepped foot on the court just once in 2024, playing eight minutes against Washington on January 1.
It continues a frustrating season in Atlanta for Mills, who’s on an expiring contract that could make him a movable trade asset for the Hawks.
Underwhelming at 14-21 and Dejounte Murray rumoured to be on the trade block, the Hawks are seen as a team that could shake things up ahead of the February 9 deadline. Should that happen, Mills’ situation could change.
The sharpshooter’s current lack of time on the court is less than ideal preparation for Mills for the Boomers’ Paris Olympics campaign.
