Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls pulled through when it mattered most. In a much-anticipated contest against the Miami Heat to take control of ninth-seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls came out on top, 119-111.
Instead of opening the Play-In Tournament on the road, the Bulls will more than likely host the projected 10th-seeded Heat for the third time in 45 days on April 16. However, with two games remaining, there's a slight possibility Chicago will move up to eighth if the Atlanta Hawks falter down the stretch.
Regardless of Chicago's future, it's mandatory to revel in the present considering Giddey's tremendous achievement in tonight's affair. The 6-foot-8 guard put together an awe-inspiring performance, dropping 28 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists—recording his seventh triple-double of the season.
Giddey joins exclusive groups after dominant performance
Entering Chicago's clash with Miami, Giddey needed six points and eight assists to join three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and four-time MVP LeBron James as the only players to total 1000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists this season. The 22-year-old guard needed only three quarters to reach the unwonted season totals.
1000 pts, 500 reb, 500 ast!
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 10, 2025
Josh Giddey just became the third player to reach these totals in the NBA this season.
The others: LeBron James & Nikola Jokic. pic.twitter.com/MBAsoL17xV
Joining superstars Jokic and LeBron's company wasn't Giddey's only noteworthy feat tonight. The Aussie's stat line included two steals and three blocks, which positions him alongside Larry Bird and Giannis Antetokounmp as the only players to ever reach 28 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and three blocks in a game. Add a three-point field goal to the mix, and Giddey is the only player in NBA history to achieve such a stat line.
Furthermore, Giddey did it in the least amount of time among the three stars. The former Thunder guard suited up for 40 minutes against the Heat. It was truly an incredible performance from a player who's proven to be one of the latter half-season's breakout stars. After essentially being an outcast in Oklahoma City, Giddey has cemented himself as a core member of the Bulls' future.