Aussies Abroad: Giddey suffers hamstring injury

AAP.

Australian superstar Josh Giddey has been struck down by a hamstring injury amid his career-best NBA season at the Chicago Bulls.

After registering 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, the prized guard was forced off court in the first minute of the third quarter against Minnesota on Tuesday (AEDT).

The Bulls later confirmed he would not return for the remainder of the match at the United Centre.

Giddey threw a pass after dribbling down court before immediately clutching at his left hamstring.

It was a tough night for Chicago, who were already without centre Zach Collins and then lost Giddey’s back-court partner Coby White to a calf injury in the first quarter.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan was unsure of the prognosis for both guards following the 136-101 loss to the Timberwolves.

The hot-and-cold Bulls are midway through a six-game home stand, which continues against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday (AEDT).

“No one has said to me they’re not playing next game or they are playing. I have no idea,” Donovan said.

Chicago had trailed by just five points at half-time before slipping well off the pace without their injured guards.

“We’ve got to be a whole lot better,” Donovan said.

“Are the injuries impactful? Yes. But these guys are all pros and they all want an opportunity to play.

“Coby and Josh, whatever their status may be in the future, I think there’s enough there with Ayo (Dosunmu) and Kevin (Huerter) and Tre Jones to carry the load.”

Giddey has been outstanding in his second season with the Bulls, averaging just shy of a triple-double with 19.5 points, 9.2 assists and 9.1 rebounds per game.

The 23-year-old ranks second in the NBA with seven triple-doubles this season and last week set a new Bulls record for the fastest triple-double, completing the feat in 20 minutes and two seconds against Atlanta.

Fresh off signing a four-year, $US100 million contract extension in the off-season, Giddey has been building a strong case to become just the second Australian selected as an NBA All-Star, after Ben Simmons.

While an injury would halt his momentum, Giddey could still be selected if sidelined for a short period.

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze said earlier this week that Giddey was firmly in the All-Star conversation.

“I don’t think there’d be too many people who would raise their eyebrows if he did get selected,” Gaze told AAP.

“I don’t think it’d be, ‘That’s a shock’.

“He’s right there in the conversation.”

It was also a rough night for Denver star Nikola Jokic, who limped off the court in Miami after appearing to injure his left knee just before half-time.

Any absence would be a significant blow for the Nuggets, with Jokic a three-time MVP who entered the week averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists.

Denver went on to lose 147-123 to the Heat without their superstar.