Chicago, IL – November 1, 2025 – In a twist that has NBA pundits eating crow, Australian sensation Josh Giddey has engineered the Chicago Bulls’ most improbable hot streak since the days of His Airness. With a career-night demolition of the New York Knicks on Halloween, the 23-year-old point guard propelled his squad to a pristine 5-0 record—the franchise’s best start in 29 years. That’s right: the last time the Bulls kicked off a season this dominantly, Michael Jordan was in the midst of his second three-peat dynasty, bulldozing contenders en route to glory.
The narrative was simple heading into the 2025-26 campaign: Giddey’s blockbuster $100 million contract extension with the Bulls was a gamble. Critics howled that it was premature, a knee-jerk reaction to a summer of hype and a trade that shipped him from Oklahoma City to the Windy City. “Overreacting,” they sneered, pointing to his inconsistent shooting and questions about his fit in a win-now roster. But five games in, those doubters are scrambling for apologies. As one viral post-game tweet put it: “Wrong about overreacting.” Giddey’s response? A shrug and a stat line that screams All-Star.
A Monster Night in the Mecca of Basketball
Friday night’s In-Season Tournament opener at the United Center wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Dressed as a towering 2.01m Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, Giddey channeled slasher-flick terror on the court, carving up Jalen Brunson and the Knicks for a career-high 32 points. He tacked on 10 rebounds and nine assists, flirting with a triple-double in a 135-125 thriller that had the United Center faithful chanting his name well past the buzzer.
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The box score reads like a highlight reel: 12-of-21 from the field (57.1%), a scorching 4-of-8 from deep (50.0%), and a flawless zero turnovers in 38 minutes of crunch-time mastery. The Bulls weathered a furious Knicks comeback—New York clawed within three points late—but Giddey’s poise sealed it. “5-0 in front of this crowd,” he beamed in his on-court interview, sweat still dripping from his Puma-branded headband. “Unbelievable start to the year. At home, in front of this crowd, and it’s a Cup game, so we understood the point situation at the end… But that’s a resilient win right there.”
Teammates credited his leadership for the grit. When the Knicks mounted their run, Giddey orchestrated the counterpunch: a dagger three, a no-look dish for an and-one, and relentless board work that turned misses into second chances. “They trust me to make plays, and I trust myself—trust the work—to make the right plays,” Giddey said postgame, deflecting praise with characteristic humility. “Whether it’s scoring, passing, rebounding—whatever the game calls for on any given night—I’m ready for that challenge. I love leading this group. It’s a fun group to play with—it’s a really unselfish team—and we all enjoy and love playing with each other.”
Stats That Defy the Skeptics
Zoom out, and Giddey’s early-season dominance is even more absurd. Through five games, he’s posting All-NBA caliber numbers: 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game, all while shooting a blistering 47.9% from the floor and 47.4% from beyond the arc—a marked improvement from his Thunder days. His efficiency rating? A gaudy 26.8, the kind that turns fantasy basketball managers into overnight millionaires.
| Category | GID Avg (5 GP) |
|---|---|
| Points | 19.8 |
| Rebounds | 8.7 |
| Assists | 7.8 |
| Steals | 0.9 |
| Blocks | 0.4 |
| Turnovers | 3.2 |
| FG% | 47.9% |
| 3P% | 47.4% |
| FT% | 70.6% |
| Minutes | 32.3 |
That $100M extension, inked before tip-off of the regular season, already looks like highway robbery for Chicago. In a market where point guards command supermax deals north of $250 million, Giddey’s bargain-basement price tag (averaging $25M annually over five years) has Bulls GM Marc Eversley popping champagne. “We knew he had the tools,” Eversley told reporters. “But this? This is next-level.”
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From Down Under to Signature Swagger
Giddey’s ascent isn’t just about numbers—it’s cultural. The Brisbane native, who grew up idolizing Jordan clips on YouTube, arrived in Chicago as a raw talent with All-Australian dreams. Now, he’s unveiling his own legacy: During the Knicks game, he debuted his first signature shoe with Puma, a sleek black-and-red beast dubbed the “Giddey 1.” “This is actually my shoe—Puma—so shout out to them,” he grinned, flexing the fresh kicks mid-interview. “I signed a four-year deal with them, and it’s my shoe—first time I’ve ever worn it. So it’s obviously very special. Every kid dreams of having a shoe growing up, so I’m very blessed and grateful to be able to wear mine tonight in front of this crowd.”
The moment was pure poetry: Giddey, the 6’8″ Aussie with guard skills and forward size, striding across the United Center floor in custom threads, evoking MJ’s Nike empire but with a kangaroo twist. Off the court, he’s already a locker-room glue guy, fostering the unselfish vibe that’s fueled this 5-0 surge. Wins over playoff-caliber foes like the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Magic? It’s no fluke—it’s the blueprint for a resurrection.
The Jordan Echoes—and What Comes Next
Flash back to 1996: Jordan’s Bulls opened 5-0 on sheer force of will, launching a 72-win odyssey. Giddey isn’t dropping 40 a night (yet), but his all-around game echoes the GOAT’s versatility—facilitating like Magic, rebounding like Rodman, scoring with Pippen’s efficiency. The logic-defying part? No Lauri Markkanen trade drama, no Zach LaVine injury cloud—just pure, unadulterated ball.
As the In-Season Tournament heats up, the Bulls face a gauntlet: road tilts against Milwaukee and Boston loom. Can Giddey sustain this? Early signs say yes. “Credit to my teammates and coaches for putting me in positions to be successful,” he reiterated. For a franchise starved for relevance, Giddey’s start isn’t just hot—it’s historic. The overreactions? They were spot on. And Chicago’s faithful couldn’t be happier to be wrong.