Australia finished its summer with a convincing 100-84 blowout win against Georgia. The Boomers wrapped up group play with a 3-2 record.
After being eliminated from qualifying for the 2023 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals in their previous loss against Slovenia, Australia played for nothing but pride in its second Round 2 group game.
Buy Thunder TicketsAustralia got off to a bit of a slow start but quickly made up for it with a 54-37 halftime lead. Georgia cut the lead to 12 points entering the fourth quarter, but a 9-2 run helped cool off any chances of a comeback upset.
Despite the lack of stakes, Josh Giddey played solidly in his final game for Australia this summer. In 25 minutes, he finished with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting, four assists and two rebounds.
Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Jack White also had some run in this game as he checked in during the second quarter. In 11 minutes off the bench, he had two points on 1-of-1 shooting, two rebounds and one assist.
Let’s look at highlights and instant reactions from Australia’s 16-point group win.
Patty Mills (19 PTS, 5 AST) and Josh Giddey (15 PTS, 7/9 FG) led Australia to the W over Georgia 🇦🇺#FIBAWC #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/vw14ROfAxr
— NBA (@NBA) September 3, 2023
Giddey uses his strength to score inside on the first play!
— TF (@ThunderFocus) September 3, 2023
Giddey’s one-legged fadeaway 👀
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
End of 1Q: Australia 23, Georgia 17
Giddey – 6 points on 3/4 shooting, 1 assist
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
I could watch Josh Giddey skip passes all day
— TF (@ThunderFocus) September 3, 2023
Giddey with the deep transition pass to Mills for the easy layup
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
HALF: Australia 54, Georgia 37
Giddey – 6 points on 3/4 shooting, 3 assists, 1 rebound
White – 2 rebounds, 1 assist
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
These drop shoulder floaters from Giddey are beautiful
— TF (@ThunderFocus) September 3, 2023
Josh Giddey continues to add restlessly rim pressure. Shaping up to be an extremely strong close to his FIBA World Cup debut run on an individual level.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) September 3, 2023
End of 3Q: Australia 79, Georgia 67
Giddey – 10 points on 5/6 shooting, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
White – 1 rebound, 1 assist
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Even though Australia is essentially playing without stakes, Josh Giddey isn't letting that stop him from getting into it with the opposition pic.twitter.com/luOdJ7NBnr
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Josh Giddey’s final World-Cup game vs Georgia
15 points
4 assists
2 rebounds
7/9 FGA
1/2 FTA
+26Good performance to end a relatively strong individual tournament. pic.twitter.com/KaWr19STcF
— TF (@ThunderFocus) September 3, 2023
FINAL: Australia 100, Georgia 84
Giddey – 15 points on 7/9 shooting, 4 assists and 2 rebounds
White – 2 points on 1/1/ shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Josh Giddey final FIBA World-Cup stats at age 20 years old
19.4 PPG
6.0 APG
5.0 RPG
54.1 FG% (39/72)
16.6 3PT% (2/12)
68.0 FT% (17/26)
58.13 TS%
27.6 MPGStruggled with his shot but an all around really good tournament from the 20 year old ⭐️🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/0ZMfprrucg
— TF (@ThunderFocus) September 3, 2023
