A situation involving Thunder guard Josh Giddey is now under league investigation.
Per a league spokesperson, the NBA “is looking into the allegations” that Giddey was involved in an improper relationship with a minor.
Word of potential impropriety first circulated via social media on Wednesday, Nov. 22, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. With no games or teams in action on the holiday, the Thunder reconvened for practice on Friday, Nov. 24, where both Giddey and head coach Mark Daigneault declined to comment on the matter.
Hours after Giddey and Daigneault declined comment, it was announced that the league had opened an investigation. Here’s what you need to know about the allegations surrounding Giddey and the latest on the NBA’s investigation.
Josh Giddey social media allegations
On Nov. 22, posts went viral on X alleging that Giddey had an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
When asked about the allegations following Thunder practice on Nov. 24, Giddey declined to comment, saying “I understand the question, obviously, but there’s no further comment right now.”
Josh Giddey was asked about the allegations that went viral on social media the past few days. pic.twitter.com/yVr5gOku0x
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) November 24, 2023
Daigneault did not comment either, saying that it’s a “personal matter and I have no comment on it. That will be my answer to anything related.”
Later on Nov. 24, both The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the NBA is looking into allegations of Giddey’s involvement in an improper relationship.
Josh Giddey investigation news
The investigation into Giddey is ongoing.
The NBA has not announced anything outside of the fact that they are looking into the allegations and the Thunder have not made any announcement regarding the situation.
Is Josh Giddey suspended?
The league’s findings will determine the course of action with respect to Giddey. Oklahoma City’s next game is at home Saturday, Nov. 25, against Philadelphia.
Giddey practiced with the Thunder on Friday and is expected to play Saturday.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and its players’ association does not explicitly address improper relationships with minors but its policy on violence, sexual assault and child abuse states that a player can be placed under administrative leave with pay.
Here is more from the CBA:
While an investigation is pending, the Commissioner may at any time place the player on administrative leave with pay for a reasonable period of time. The parties agree that administrative leave is not intended to be routinely applied during the pendency of every player investigation under this Policy. Instead, administrative leave should be applied in only those cases in which a balancing of all relevant factors clearly establishes that it is reasonable to do so under the totality of the circumstances.
How old is Josh Giddey
Josh Giddey is 21 years old. He was born on Oct. 10, 2002. He was drafted sixth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and made his NBA debut 10 days after his 19th birthday.
The 2023-24 season is Giddey’s third season in the NBA.