Josh Giddey returned to form in spectacular fashion on Saturday (AEDT), putting on a dazzling display for the Chicago Bulls in a 123-116 loss to the lowly Charlotte Hornets — but the night was overshadowed by a tense fan altercation that left the Spectrum Centre buzzing.
Giddey fell just one assist shy of a triple-double, finishing with 25 points on 50 per cent shooting, 11 rebounds, and nine assists — all with zero turnovers. The young star showcased the floor general skills that make him the engine of the Bulls, spinning, driving, and shooting with confidence reminiscent of his best performances.
Yet late in the fourth quarter, a heated exchange with a fan near the front row captured everyone’s attention. Broadcast footage on the Chicago Sports Network showed Giddey visibly frustrated, approaching the spectator before being restrained by a referee as teammates rushed to his side.
“He just said something I didn’t like and I went over to him — that was it,” Giddey told reporters after the game, according to AAP. “Security took him out and that was the end of it.”
The fan was promptly escorted from the arena, sparking commentary from broadcast voices Adam Amin and Stacey King. Amin noted, “Oh wow, somebody said something to Giddey… they must have said something, because I don’t think Josh would have reacted unless something bad was said to him.” King added, “Some of these people just want to go viral… he did that for a viral moment; he looked like an idiot. Getting escorted out, may not be able to get back in the arena ever again. You’re able to say whatever you want, but when a guy is that close to you, don’t get personal.”
Despite the distraction, Giddey’s on-court performance was a reminder of his elite abilities. The Bulls’ struggle to contain the Hornets marked another defensive collapse, as Chicago became just the 11th team in NBA history to give up 120-plus points in 11 straight games — a dubious record not seen in 35 years.
Giddey’s first assist came on a sharp baseline pass to Matas Buzelis for an emphatic dunk. “They’ve got to get the ball in Josh Giddey’s hands more often,” King noted early in the game. “He gets everybody involved… he’s the guy that makes this engine go.”
After a limited outing against New Orleans — where Giddey had six assists but five turnovers and a -13 plus-minus — he looked revitalized with Nikola Vucevic back in the lineup, providing spacing that allowed Giddey to drive effectively. By halftime, Giddey had 10 points on 50 per cent shooting, five rebounds, and five assists, setting the stage for a potential triple-double.
He started the second half confidently, sinking two three-pointers to pull Chicago within striking distance. King highlighted the difference: “He is shooting that shot with so much confidence, compared to last season.” Inside the paint, Giddey leveraged his six-foot-eight frame, making calculated drives and finishing with authority.
In the fourth quarter, as the Bulls tried to mount a comeback, Giddey drilled another three before getting fouled on a shot from distance, narrowing the deficit to six points with under five minutes remaining. His performance, both scoring and distributing, underscored why Giddey is the Bulls’ linchpin, even as the team struggles defensively.
Saturday’s game was a microcosm of Giddey’s season: flashes of brilliance, leadership under pressure, and a fiery competitive edge that occasionally spills over — as the fan altercation painfully reminded everyone. For Chicago, the challenge remains clear: channel Giddey’s talent, protect him from distractions, and find a way to close out games before his brilliance goes unpunished.
One thing is certain: Josh Giddey is back, and the NBA is watching every move.
Leave a Reply