In a stunning display of all-around dominance, Australian point guard Josh Giddey has etched his name into Chicago Bulls history by tying six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen for second place on the franchise’s all-time triple-double list. With this achievement, the young star now trails only the legendary Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
Giddey’s milestone came during the Bulls’ commanding 120-97 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, a win that snapped an agonizing 11-game losing streak for the team. In that game, Giddey delivered a masterful performance, tallying 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists—marking his 15th triple-double in a Bulls uniform. Not only did he match his career-high with five three-pointers made, but he also showcased the playmaking prowess that has made him a cornerstone for Chicago since his arrival.
This feat places Giddey alongside Pippen, who amassed 15 triple-doubles during his illustrious career with the Bulls, contributing to six championships in the 1990s. Ahead of them both stands Jordan, with an impressive 28 triple-doubles during his tenure, which included two three-peats from 1991-93 and 1996-98. For a player like Giddey, who is still early in his NBA journey, being mentioned in the same breath as these icons is no small honor.
Post-game, Giddey remained humble about the accomplishment, emphasizing team success over personal accolades. “It sounds good,” he said when asked about sharing the record with Pippen. “I mean, you know me, I’m all about winning, and that’s number one priority. But any time your name is mentioned with people like that, it’s an honour, and you don’t take it for granted, so as I said, my teammates make my job easy. They put me in positions to be successful. But winning is always number one.”
Reflecting on the team’s recent struggles and the breakthrough win, Giddey added, “This has kind of been lingering for a while and I think we’ve put ourselves, put good steps forward the last 11 games, even though we haven’t won, I thought we’ve been building in the right direction. Tonight, obviously, to get this win in front of this crowd was unbelievable.”
The Bulls’ performance against the Bucks highlighted a return to their core identity, with seven players scoring in double figures and the team dishing out 35 assists. Giddey credited his growing chemistry with big man Nick Richard, noting, “I mean, (Richard’s) a lob threat, so I can put the ball kind of anywhere in that vicinity and he’ll go and get it, obviously, we’ve had time to build that connection now. I know he’s on the rim, so I’m trying to put it up there for him and he does the rest.”
He further elaborated on the team’s strategy: “It’s what we’re trying to be trying to get back to, sharing the ball with multiple guys in double digits, limit the turnovers, limit the offensive rebounds and I think when we get back to that identity, you see what happens, nights like tonight are possible. We’ve got confidence in everybody in this locker room, when we play to our identity, I think we’re a tough team to compete against.”
Giddey, who many believe should have earned an NBA All-Star nod this season, continues to prove his value as a versatile facilitator and rebounder. His rapid ascent in the Bulls’ record books underscores his potential to become one of the league’s elite playmakers. As Chicago looks to build momentum, all eyes will be on Giddey to see if he can close the gap on Jordan’s untouchable mark.
This breakthrough not only boosts the Bulls’ morale but also signals a bright future for the franchise with Giddey at the helm. With wins like this, Chicago might just be on the cusp of turning their season around.