Australian NBA star Josh Giddey has elevated his game to elite levels, entering what many are calling “rare air” with a Nikola Jokić-style run over his last five games for the Chicago Bulls. The 23-year-old point guard is averaging a triple-double during this stretch, showcasing playmaking, scoring, and rebounding prowess reminiscent of the Denver Nuggets superstar.
In his past five outings (as of mid-March 2026), Giddey has posted impressive averages of 19.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 12.2 assists per game, while playing nearly 38 minutes per contest. His shooting splits include 44.1% from the field, a strong 43.8% from three-point range, and 62.5% from the free-throw line. This production has resulted in multiple triple-doubles, underlining his all-around dominance since returning to full health.
Highlights from this stretch include:
- A 20-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on March 14, 2026 — his 29th career triple-double, surpassing Michael Jordan’s career total of 28.
- A standout 21-point, 13-rebound, 17-assist performance against the Golden State Warriors in an overtime win.
- Consistent double-digit contributions in points, rebounds, and assists across games versus teams like the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks.
This five-game triple-double average (at least +10 in points, rebounds, and assists) places Giddey in exclusive company. Only three players in the league this season have achieved such a feat in a five-game span: Nikola Jokić, Giddey, and Jalen Johnson. Giddey has accomplished this nine times already in 2025-26, trailing only Jokić in frequency and highlighting the “Jokic-style” efficiency in facilitating offense while impacting both ends.
The run is even more remarkable given Giddey’s injury history. He strained his hamstring against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 30, 2025, missing 11 games and returning on a minutes restriction in late January. After brief bench stints and additional rest, he fully returned as a starter on February 20, 2026, against the Toronto Raptors. Coach Billy Donovan gradually increased his workload, leading to this peak form with averages nearing 37 minutes per game recently.
Giddey has been philosophical about his comeback: “I’m back. Back playing. That’s it,” he said earlier in his return. “It was different, and it was new for me — and different not being able to play. Trying to help from the sideline as much as I can in timeouts and during practices. Being back out there now is good because I can help guys on the fly — whether it’s with the offence, defence, and stuff. For me, it doesn’t change. Winning is still the number one priority.”
Despite Giddey’s surge — which has included elite playmaking, improved perimeter shooting, and rebounding — the Bulls sit at 27-40, struggling to climb into play-in contention (6.5 games behind teams like the Charlotte Hornets). His individual brilliance has provided bright spots in an otherwise challenging season, with 11 triple-doubles in 45 games so far.
This “Jokić-style” stretch cements Giddey’s growth into one of the league’s most complete facilitators. As he continues chasing team success, his place in rare statistical company — alongside the MVP-caliber Jokić — signals a bright future for the Australian Boomers star.