Josh Giddey will return to the Oklahoma City Thunder lineup, while the NBA investigation over his alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor is in progress.
Josh Giddey will be available to play with the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday, despite serious allegations of inappropriate behavior with an underage girl.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault told reporters that Giddey, who is currently under investigation by the NBA for having an inappropriate relationship with a minor, "is available to play, will play."
"No change in status from a basketball standpoint, and I still have no comment on anything else," he said. "Just with the information we have at this point, that's the decision that we've made. It's really not even a decision, to be honest with you."
Josh Giddey
| Team: |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Position: | PG |
| Age: | 21 |
| Height: | 200 cm |
| Weight: | 93 kg |
| Birth place: | Melbourne, Australia |
"It's obviously a league matter at this point," Daigneault said. "The ball is in their court on that one."
Daigneault’s comments come after the NBA launched an investigation into the allegations against Giddey that emerged on social media on Thursday.
The Aussie guard refused to comment on the allegations against him during a team media event on Saturday, stating, "I understand the question obviously, but there’s no further comment right now."
Allegations against Giddey emerged on Thursday when pictures and videos were posted to social media featuring Giddey with a young woman. One of the images is of a shirtless Giddey standing behind the girl.
There are videos that feature Giddey supposedly talking to the girl's brother, in which he says: "I'm here with your beautiful sister. Good luck with your season. I hear you're going to Sacramento soon for a game so best of luck. We're going to come up and watch you take care of business."
In another video, where she appears to be standing in the background outside a nightclub, Giddey says: "What's up my man? We're at the front of the club, me and my girl, about to head back to mine."
The OKC are looking to improve their 11-4 record this season against the 76ers, who stand at 10-5 and will be without superstar Joel Embiid due to a hip injury.
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