When it comes to youth and triple-doubles, top-three Draft picks reign.
No longer.
Where once LaMelo Ball, Markelle Fultz, Luka Doncic, Lonzo Ball and LeBron James each owned the throne, Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey now stands first and foremost.
The sixth overall pick of the 2021 Draft became the youngest player in NBA history to register a triple-double on Monday (PHT), amassing 17 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists in the Thunder’s 96-86 loss to Dallas. At 19 years and 84 days old, Giddey beat LaMelo Ball by 56 days.
| PLAYER | TEAM | DATE | AGE |
| Josh Giddey | Oklahoma City | Jan. 2, 2022 | 19 years, 84 days |
| LaMelo Ball | Charlotte | Jan. 9, 2021 | 19 years, 140 days |
| Markelle Fultz | Philadelphia | April 11, 2018 | 19 years, 317 days |
| Luka Doncic* | Dallas | Jan. 21, 2019 | 19 years, 327 days |
| Lonzo Ball | Los Angeles Lakers | Nov. 11, 2017 | 20 years, 15 days |
| LeBron James | Cleveland | Jan. 19, 2005 | 20 years, 20 days |
* Doncic owns six of the 11 youngest triple-doubles in NBA history
Giddey is averaging 30.0 minutes, 10.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Thunder, who sit just two games out of the final Play-In Tournament spot. In his most recent game before undergoing and returning Health & Safety Protocols, Giddey logged the first double-double in 50 years that did not include points (zero points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists).
The Australian-born guard, however, downplayed his new place in NBA history.
“It’s cool. I’ll enjoy it for the night,” Giddey said. “But a win is better for me than an individual stat.”
