Fans at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City gave Thunder guard Josh Giddey a warm welcome and loud cheers after he was announced in the starting lineup on Saturday night amid an NBA investigation into whether the 6’8 Australian had an improper relationship with an underage girl.
WATCH:
Crowd reaction to Josh Giddey being introduced in the starting lineup: pic.twitter.com/1EJXkLodfZ
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 25, 2023
The investigation stems from an anonymous online report that claimed Giddey had an improper relationship with a female the accuser claimed was underage. One of the pics had a caption that read, “just f*cked Josh Giddey.”
Josh Giddey from the OKC thunder with an under-age girl. First video he is talking to her brother. This is Disgusting and this man needs to be punished. We can’t let this go under the surface any longer. This needs to be seen. Girl is a junior in high school. pic.twitter.com/gj1LaxRaM0
— ☀️ (@wstgoat7) November 23, 2023
Some X users speculated that the girl pictured with Giddey is 15 years old.
For his part, Giddey declined to address the issue when questioned by reporters at practice on Friday.
“I get the question, guys. I completely understand you guys want to know about it, but just for right now, I don’t have anything to say,” Giddey said.
Josh Giddey was #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on January 5, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Harrison Barden/Getty Images)
The NBA has not commented further on its investigation aside from league President Micahel Bass’ statement on Friday that the Association was “looking into it.”
Giddey scored 10 points Saturday night, but the Thunder fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 127-123.