Ahead of the 2023/24 season Giddey was in line for a mega contract extension that could have landed him a deal worth around $300 million.
It would have seen him surpass Ben Simmons’ $275 million (AUD) contract as the richest ever deal signed by an Australian NBA player.
But through the opening 20 games of the season, the max-contract offer may be on the backburner as the 21-year-old’s form has completely fallen by the wayside.
Across the board he is struggling to make an impact on the court with almost every statistical category worse off than his rookie season.
He’s currently averaging 11.8 points per game, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Comparing those figures to last season he’s down 4.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Thanks in large part to his diminishing on-court impact, Giddey’s playing time has fallen away.
Dropping from more than 31 minutes per game across his opening two seasons, down to 26 minutes this season.
It has been a rough season for Giddey. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
His on-court struggles have been exposed by opposing teams with none more damning than the Thunder’s contest against the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
Giddey was treated like a ghost by the Rockets defensively as they sat way off of him, effectively begging him to shoot from beyond the arc.
The Aussie took advantage in the opening quarter by knocking down two three points, but it was his unwillingness that played right into his rivals’ hands.
Like we’ve seen with Ben Simmons over the years, Giddey looked completely devoid of any offensive confidence as he drove straight into defenders which forced him into unflattering passes to his teammates.
Giddey’s offensive struggles will only make life tougher for the rest of his teammates, unless he can start making them pay for leaving him wide open.
A video uploaded to X, formerly Twitter, shows the ugly reality the Thunder are faced with on both ends of the court when Giddey is playing.
Prior to the season many fans had predicted the Thunder would become a playoff contender after finishing the 2022/23 season with a 40-42 record and ninth in the conference.
With Chet Holmgren returning to the line-up after an injury plagued first season, the hopes were high behind the trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey and Holmgren.
However Giddey has failed to fire, leaving the load with Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren to carry.
Thankfully for Thunder fans the pair haven’t missed a beat and currently have their squad sitting second in the Western Conference standings.
But with Giddey’s ongoing struggles, the speculation surrounding his place in the Thunder line-up will only grow.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, in November, said it would be in the best interest of both parties to facilitate a trade.
“Giddey is the trade piece. Simple as that,” O’Connor told The Mismatch podcast.
“They have to trade Giddey for a big. They need a big next to Chet Holmgren in the front court.
“I like Giddey a lot. It’s nothing against him individually as a player. It’s about the greater good of the team and probably the greater good for the team too. It’s not a great fit for him.
“I don’t think the fit is great and I worry about his jump shot.
“I think with Giddey he’s a great young player who is going to have a long, successful career but it might not be in Oklahoma City.”
Giddey or Ben Simmons?Source: SuppliedGiddey’s defender showed him absolutely no respect.Source: Supplied
Giddey remains under investigation by Newport Beach Police Department and the NBA over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
Giddey’s case took a recent major turn with revelations a high-profile American lawyer is now involved.
The twist comes after new details surrounding the situation emerged last week with reports the alleged encounter between Giddey and a girl happened two years ago.
The allegations first arose via an anonymous social media post last month, which has since been deleted, but the incident actually took place right back in his rookie season in 2021, as CODE Sports reports.
According to the article, Giddey had a very short relationship with the woman, with suggestions it was a one-night stand.
Giddey was 19 at the time and the report states he believed the girl was the same age, but that she was allegedly 15 and had lied about her age.
Giddey has not been charged with any offence. News.com.au has also contacted Giddey’s management company Octagon for comment.
They say it takes a village to raise one child, let alone two.
For the Pavlešić family, the old adage rings true.
On those cold, frosty winter mornings when football season was in full swing, Anthony and Adam Pavlešić’s parents would be up early, driving their kids all across Sydney to games.
And if the parents couldn’t drive?
“The grandparents, the uncles, the aunties, it doesn’t matter who it was, they’d help,” Anthony told foxsports.com.au.
It’s the beauty of growing up in a football-mad family, who would all travel to watch the two goalkeepers in action as they rose through the youth ranks at Sydney United.
The dedication from the Pavlešić clan paid off handsomely: Adam is now the back-up goalkeeper to Andrew Redmayne at Sydney FC and already has a handful of appearances for the Sky Blues to his name.
As for Anthony?
He’s rubbing shoulders with his childhood idol and a host of international superstars at Bayern Munich at just 17 years of age.
Pavlešić was on duty with the Australian U17s earlier this year for a tournament in Turkey when the window of opportunity flung wide open.
His management had been in touch with a contact at Bayern for some time, sending over clips of Pavlešić in an effort to get the teenager a trial.
Given the distance from Australia to Germany, it would have been a difficult ask.
But as soon as the contact became aware Pavlešić was on the continent in Turkey, the Aussie received an invite for a two-and-a-half-week trial with the German giants.
Of course, it had to come with the blessing of the Central Coast Mariners, Pavlešić’s team at the time, which it did.
Was it a daunting experience going on trial at Bayern, one of the most successful clubs in world football?
“It was a little bit,” Pavlešić said.
“But I think I was ready for it. I was confident.
“I didn’t really know what to expect, what level they would be, what the environment would be like.
“But I came off a decent tournament playing two games in Turkey and thought, ‘Just give it a crack now, if I’m ever going to be ready, it’s going to be now.’
“Physically I was feeling good, my body was in a good place. I just wanted to challenge myself and experience what the level would be like over there, which is where I want to get to.”
Anthony Pavlešić represented the Young Socceroos in Marbella. Picture: Sergio LopezSource: Supplied
As it transpired, Pavlešić was more than ready for the opportunity and Bayern felt the same as they agreed a six-figure sum with the Mariners to bring the teenager over to Bavaria.
On Pavlešić’s part, there “wasn’t any hesitation at all” when it came to wanting to move having proved himself capable of performing at the required levels.
But one needs more than talent to make it at a European giant like Bayern, so Pavlešić sought out advice on what to expect from then-Mariners coach Nick Montgomery and goalkeeping coach Miguel Miranda, who had previously worked with Ederson and Jan Oblak.
So, what did Montgomery tell Pavlešić to expect?
“Just the professionalism, the mentality of everyone, the hunger you need to succeed over there and how hard you really have to work,” Pavlešić said.
“He (Montgomery) brought those philosophies to Central Coast which helped us succeed. But those things that you need to be a top player, he also had a very good career himself, you listen to his words very closely.
“It helps knowing it all before you go over there, how much harder you have to work than everyone else.”
With Montgomery’s words of wisdom ringing in his ears, Pavlešić’s move to Bayern became official in June.
But the challenges would soon come thick and fast for the young Australian gloveman.
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THE CHANGING ROOM EXPERIENCE WITH IDOL THAT PROVED ‘SACRIFICE’ HAS BEEN WORTH IT
Moving your entire life to the other side of the world is no small feat for a 17-year-old.
Add in the potential language barrier and it makes it even more difficult.
But Pavlešić was welcomed with open arms to the Bayern campus, a sprawling 30-hectare site which boasts eight football pitches, 35 apartments for academy players not from the local area and several other first-class facilities.
And, perhaps most importantly for Pavlešić’s transition to life in Munich, most people speak English.
“Me not knowing any other languages at the moment, if I went there and everyone was only speaking German and no-one was interacting with me, it would have been very different,” Pavlešić said.
“I think I’ve been lucky that I’ve moved onto Bayern campus. I’ve got a lot of other players around my age, teams above and below and even players in my team that I’m living with. It helps with relationships early on.
“You’re seeing these people all day, every day at lunch, dinner, breakfast. Then you train with them, you go out with them every now and then.
“You need to surround yourself with other people that can take up your time and distract yourself, then try and not think about missing home so much.
“You stay focused on what you’re there to do and you realise that’s why you’ve gone and you know the sacrifice of moving from home. It’s not easy.
“But I’m lucky that I have good people around me in Munich which helped me over there.”
Spoiled with everything he could want for and more when it comes to a footballing experience, Pavlešić couldn’t stress just how “surreal” it had all been from the moment he first put on a Bayern training kit and stepped onto the pitch at the campus.
But it gave him a timely reminder he belonged with several of Europe’s brightest prospects.
The incredible Bayern Munich campus. Picture: Bayern MunichSource: Supplied
“You feel a part of it, especially after the first few weeks go by,” Pavlešić said.
“This is where you are now, you deserve to be there, they signed you for a reason.”
As good as he has it now, Pavlešić needs no reminding it might not last forever, so he has to “make the most of it” while he is still at the club because “things can change very quickly.”
If Pavlešić hadn’t pinched himself enough during his first few weeks in Bavaria, the rush of a lifetime was still yet to come.
Bayern had just beaten Manchester United 4-3 in a scintillating Champions League clash at the Allianz Arena and those who started were afforded a day off from training.
To help make up the numbers a handful of Bayern youth players were invited for a training session with the first team, including Pavlešić.
Also taking part in the session was modern legend Thomas Muller, electric winger Kingsley Coman and teenage sensation Mathys Tel, who joined Bayern in the summer from Rennes.
At times during various drills, Pavlešić couldn’t help but admire the “art” that was unfolding in front of his very eyes.
“The first few times you see them, especially in the first few drills, you don’t know what to expect and you don’t know what the level is going to be of these guys,” Pavlešić said.
“But all the small details that you’re told as a kid or some players skip on, these players have everything.
“Their touch, their awareness, it’s all there. It’s like art.
“How good they are at what they do and every small detail they’re really focused on, it was really cool to see.”
Pavlešić also noted the breakneck pace at which these players do everything.
“If you’re not as good at something, especially as a goalkeeper, they can expose you,” Pavlešić said.
“The shots are so much harder and quicker. Time on the ball is so much less.
“You have the ball at your feet, you’re getting pressed a second later.”
Thomas Muller is a Bayern Munich legend. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Although Pavlešić was thrown very much into sink-or-swim territory in that training session with the first team, he received a few early pointers from a 37-year-old goalkeeper who calls Bayern home: Manuel Neuer.
With over 300 appearances for the Bundesliga giants and 117 games for Germany, Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern era.
He’s also Pavlešić’s idol.
And you best believe the Aussie had to do everything in his power not to have a fanboy moment in front of the four-time FIFA World 11 goalkeeper when they first met.
“It was surreal when I first met him,” Pavlešić said.
“I think it was when I first walked into the changing rooms. He was there.
“I walked over to introduce myself and said hello. That was pretty much it for then.
“But then you walk around for the next few minutes, you’re just trying to keep it together. It was really good.
“Then you go out and start training and you’re in awe of how good he really is and how nice he was as well.
“He was helping me a little bit and talking to me, he spoke really good English and helped me out.”
But as jaw-dropping as it has been to rub shoulders among Bayern’s big names, Pavlešić knows he can’t allow himself to continually be starstruck.
“Part of being a good professional is that you have to realise you’re there for a reason,” Pavlešić said.
“As much as it’s really cool to be there and to see everyone, all of these professionals that you looked up to your whole life, you know you’re there for a job and you’re there to train and you have to be one of them.”
Pavlešić has trained alongside Bayern superstar Manuel Neuer. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WHY NEXT GEN OF AUSSIES CAN QUASH ‘DISADVANTAGED’ NOTION
Unfortunately for Pavlešić, it took some time before he was able to make his debut due to paperwork issues that had yet to be resolved with FIFA.
But since then, he has made five appearances for Bayern’s under-19 side including a UEFA Youth League fixture away to Galatasaray and also played for Bayern’s reserve team in the German third division.
Pavlešić also was a part of the Young Socceroos team that beat France, the Netherlands and Denmark at the Marbella Week of Football earlier in October, with each win coming via penalty shootout.
A victory over one of those nations would have been impressive on its own, let alone three wins from three.
But Pavlešić believes it’s yet another sign the next generation of players from Australia are not there to take part, but to take over.
“It just shows what we can do,” Pavlešić said.
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“People underestimate what we do because we’re from Australia, but under the right circumstances with a good team and good staff, we can be beating these top international teams.”
Future success at these types of tournaments for the Young Socceroos will only attract interest from clubs of a similar standing to Bayern.
It’s why Pavlešić doesn’t expect he’ll be the last to join the ranks of a European behemoth.
“It shows that coming from Australia doesn’t make such a big difference,” Pavlešić said.
“People think we’re very disadvantaged in Australia, but we have a decent youth system now and we can produce some good players.
“If clubs like Bayern Munich are coming after me and other players are going to other clubs, it gives us all confidence knowing that we have the ability.
“Some of us that are lucky enough get the opportunity, but we’re good enough to be in these places so it gives us a lot of confidence.”
Erling Haaland ended his Champions League goal drought as Manchester City extended their perfect start to the tournament with a 3-1 win at Swiss side Young Boys.
Haaland arrived in rain-lashed Bern without a goal in his previous five Champions League matches.
The City striker had scored 35 goals in his first 30 Champions League appearances and he got back on track in the competition with a second-half double at the Wankdorf Stadium.
Haaland’s penalty restored City’s lead after Meschack Elia had cancelled out Manuel Akanji’s second-half opener for the holders.
Switzerland defender Akanji’s first goal for City this season came on his return to his homeland, just days after he was sent off in the treble winners’ victory over Brighton in the Premier League.
Haaland struck again in the closing stages to wrap up the points and take him to 11 goals in all competitions this term.
Erling Haaland celebrates with his teammates. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)Source: AFP
Pep Guardiola’s side sit top of Group G after a third successive victory following their wins against Red Star Belgrade and RB Leipzig.
Another success against Young Boys at the Etihad Stadium next month would ensure City qualify for the knockout stages with two matches to spare.
Guardiola has admitted City are suffering a mild hangover from winning the treble, with consecutive Premier League defeats against Wolves and Arsenal recently following a League Cup loss to Newcastle.
But City are unbeaten in their last 16 Champions League matches and even the unique challenge posed by Young Boys’ synthetic pitch could not derail their dominance in the tournament.
They remain a potent force even at less than 100 percent and should have taken an immediate lead against Young Boys when Rodri stooped to head just wide from Matheus Nunes’ corner.
Young Boys keeper Anthony Racioppi repelled Jeremy Doku’s blast after the City winger was set up by Jack Grealish.
As City’s pressure mounted, Grealish’s shot was dropped by Racioppi, but Nunes’s close-range effort was cleared off the line by Loris Benito.
Despite their dominance, Guardiola’s men were almost caught by a pair of sucker punches.
Nathan Ake’s last-ditch tackle stopped Sandro Lauper in his tracks as he prepared to shoot, while Cedric Itten’s header looped onto the roof of Ederson’s net.
Racioppi came to the hosts’ rescue on the stroke of half-time with a fine save from Doku’s curler and then another impressive stop to keep out Rodi’s flicked effort.
Erling Haaland (R) scores his team’s second goal on a penalty shot. (Photo by GABRIEL MONNET / AFP)Source: AFP
City finally made the breakthrough in the 48th minute when Ruben Dias’s header was pushed onto the bar by Racioppi and Akanji was on hand on to poke home from close range.
Their advantage lasted only four minutes as Cheikh Niasse’s defence-splitting pass from deep inside his own half sent Elia sprinting clear.
Ederson raced off his line in a bid to avert the danger but Elia lofted a superb chipped finish over the Brazilian from the edge of the area.
Having unexpectedly squandered the lead, City quickly went back in front after 67 minutes.
Rodri was sent crashing in the area by Mohamed Ali Camara and Haaland stepped up to smash home the penalty.
Julian Alvarez’s 74th-minute goal was disallowed for a handball by Grealish in the build-up.
But Haaland ensured City would head home with their 100 percent start intact, taking a touch from Rodri’s pass before whipping a fine finish into the far corner from just inside the area in the 86th minute.
BARCELONA CONTINUE WINNING WAYS
Elsewhere, Barcelona continued their perfect start in the Champions League and warmed up for the Clasico at the weekend with a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Spanish champions held off their Ukrainian visitors to take their third win from three games and put one foot into the knock-out stages after failing to progress in the past two seasons.
Ferran Torres opened the scoring for Barca with 20-year-old midfielder Fermin Lopez smashing home the second from the edge of the box.
After 17-year-old debutant Marc Guiu struck the winner against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend, Lopez’s display meant it was another fine night for Barcelona’s La Masia talent factory.
Ferran Torres celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) *BESTPIX*Source: Getty Images
Heorhiy Sudakov pulled one back for Shakhtar after a Barca defensive lapse, creating a nervy finale for the hosts, but they held on to the three points.
Barca took forward Joao Felix off hurt in the final stages, with another injury to add to a long list the last thing they need.
Barcelona were already without several key players, including Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, leading Xavi to deploy winger Torres in the middle of the attack.
The former Manchester City player said he was ready to step up a level in an important week for the club, with Real Madrid visiting on Saturday.
He started brightly and hammered home before the half-hour mark after Ilkay Gundogan sweetly teed up Lopez, whose effort came back off the upright.
The goal was initially ruled out but VAR showed Lopez had timed his run to perfection to reach the German midfielder’s nicely weighted chip over the top.
Lopez, who made his debut in August, rescued Barcelona a draw earlier this season at Real Mallorca and staked his claim for a start against Madrid with his best performance to date, in for the suspended Gavi.
Dmytro Riznyk had saved well from the midfielder early on but could do nothing about his goal, a cannonball strike, in off the post to shore up Barca’s position.
Riznyk did well to save a Felix header early in the second half and was relieved to see the offside flag up against Torres as he clipped home after an hour.
Just a couple of minutes later, Shakhtar earned a foothold in the game. Joao Cancelo did not get back into position after yet another foray forward, and Oriol Romeu was left in the dust by Sudakov, who finished well at the near post.
It was the first goal Barcelona have conceded in the campaign. Lopez hit the post with another long-range effort and then had a header ruled out for offside as he continued his all-action display.
Barcelona wound down seven minutes of stoppage time to take the points as supporters in the stands turned their attention to the impending Clasico.
Shakhtar are third, provisionally level with second-placed Porto on three points, who visit bottom side Antwerp later, while Barcelona lead with nine.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND BLOW GROUP OF DEATH WIDE OPEN
Borussia Dortmund blew the Champions League’s group of death wide open as Felix Nmecha’s goal beat Newcastle 1-0 at St James’ Park.
Newcastle twice hit the woodwork in the closing stages through Callum Wilson and Fabian Schar, but now have work to do to reach the last 16 on their return to the competition after 20 years.
The German giants’ first win in Group F lifts Dortmund above Newcastle on head-to-head record with both sides on four points.
Paris Saint-Germain lead the section on six points with last season’s semi-finalists AC Milan bottom on two.
Newcastle had announced their return to the Champions League stage in style with a 4-1 demolition of PSG three weeks ago.
But the Magpies were handed a deserved reality check after a surprisingly flat performance.
Dortmund had failed to score in their opening two games in the toughest group in the draw.
But their defeat by PSG last month was the only time they have lost in 12 games so far this season.
Borussia Dortmund’s players celebrate. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
Dortmund dominated the opening 45 minutes, but should still have fallen behind when Anthony Gordon fired straight at Gregor Kobel with just the Swiss goalkeeper to beat.
Newcastle were then dealt a major blow when former Dortmund striker Alexander Isak was forced off with injury.
Donyell Malen and Niclas Fullkrug tested Nick Pope but it was an inspired piece of play from a centre-back that eventually helped Edin Terzic’s men break their duck.
Nico Schlotterbeck robbed Gordon of possession in midfield and burst forward before crossing for Nmecha to stroke into the far corner in first-half stoppage time.
Sandro Tonali is expected to be handed a 10-month ban in the coming days for alleged breaches of betting rules during his time with AC Milan.
However, Eddie Howe still turned to the Italian international off the bench to try and inspire a turnaround.
Newcastle were left to rue one huge missed opportunity when Isak’s replacement, Wilson, fired into Kobel’s legs with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Wilson then saw a flicked header come back off the crossbar. Howe’s men came even closer in the dying seconds of stoppage time as Schar’s deflected effort looped over a helpless Kobel and bounced kindly back off the bar for Dortmund into the path of a covering defender.
But the visitors clung on to leave the group delicately poised heading into another clash between the sides in Dortmund on November 7.
PITCH INVADER’S CHEEKY ACT AS PSG STORM TO BIG WIN
Kylian Mbappe, Randal Kolo Muani and Lee Kang-in were all on target as Paris Saint-Germain got back to winning ways in the Champions League with an impressive 3-0 home victory against AC Milan.
PSG were eager to bounce back from their 4-1 defeat away to Newcastle United three weeks ago and they ultimately had too much attacking quality for their Italian visitors at the Parc des Princes.
Mbappe opened the scoring with a lethal finish just after the half-hour mark for his 10th club goal this season, and his France teammate Kolo Muani added another shortly after half-time.
Lee Kang-in then came off the bench to net the third late on, the South Korean star’s first for the club.
PSG thoroughly deserved their win, with the Ligue 1 side a completely different proposition from the disjointed team that was overloaded with forwards and overrun in midfield in the defeat by Newcastle.
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP
Having started their European campaign with a 2-0 home win against Borussia Dortmund, Luis Enrique’s PSG side top Group F at the halfway stage with six points ahead of a trip to Milan early next month.
Milan, the seven-time European champions, are bottom of the group with two points and a big concern for Stefano Pioli’s side will be that they have yet to score a goal in the competition this season.
This game saw French international brothers Lucas Hernandez, the PSG defender, and Theo, the Milan captain, come up against each other for the first time.
It also saw PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and his Milan counterpart Mike Maignan come up against the clubs with whom they started their careers.
But the stars of the show were elsewhere, with Mbappe — who was hugged by a pitch invader in the first half — looking arguably sharper than he has done at any point up to now this season for PSG.
A pitch invader embraces Kylian Mbappe. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesThe pitch invader then quickly bolts. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)Source: AFP
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery was exceptional in the PSG midfield and his latest impressive performance will not have gone unnoticed by France coach Didier Deschamps, who was watching from the stands.
There were seven current full French internationals on the field at kick-off and it was national team captain Mbappe who opened the scoring in the 32nd minute.
Zaire-Emery collected possession just inside his own half, burst away from Tijjani Reijnders and found Mbappe, who advanced into the box before beating Maignan with an early, low shot into the corner.
That was a blow to Milan, who had started well and upset the Paris defence with their high pressing, and also saw Rafael Leao curl an effort not far wide shortly before the goal.
It was not just Zaire-Emery who impressed in the home midfield, with Vitinha continuing his fine form this season in a position close to Mbappe on the left.
Meanwhile Manuel Ugarte is the man who holds it all together, but his physical approach denied PSG a second goal three minutes into the second half.
Ousmane Dembele thought he had scored his first goal for the Qatar-owned club since signing from Barcelona in the close season, as he ran through to plant a low shot beyond Maignan into the far corner.
However, Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic disallowed the goal following a VAR review for a foul by Ugarte on Yunus Musah in the build-up.
PSG didn’t have to wait long to make it 2-0 though, as Kolo Muani turned the ball into an empty net in the 53rd minute after Maignan had pushed out a Dembele shot.
Milan tried unsuccessfully to find a way back into the game, while Maignan intervened more than once to stop Mbappe scoring again, notably touching a shot onto the outside of the post.
But the home side made it three in the 89th minute as the outstanding Zaire-Emery powered forward down the right and set up Lee to score with a first-time strike.
CELTIC HOLD OFF 10-MAN ATLETICO
Celtic earned their first Champions League point of the season but were left to rue twice letting a lead slip in a pulsating 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid.
The Scottish champions struck after just four minutes through Kyogo Furuhashi before Antoine Griezmann levelled on the rebound after his penalty was turned onto the post by home goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Luis Palma restored Celtic’s lead before half-time, but Alvaro Morata’s header ensured Atletico’s unbeaten run stretches to eight games.
The Spanish giants had Rodrigo De Paul sent off in the closing stages. Celtic, though, could not make the man advantage count in the final eight minutes plus stoppage time as their 10-year wait for a Champions League group-stage win at home goes on.
A draw takes Atletico to within a point of Group E leaders Feyenoord, who beat Lazio 3-1.
Ange makes history! Spurs v Fulham wrap | 03:32
Celtic remain bottom, three points adrift of the third-placed Italians. There could also be further ramifications from the match for Celtic after fans defied a club plea by waving Palestine flags in a show of support to people in Gaza during the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
A leading Celtic fans’ group announced they would distribute flags outside the stadium.
In a statement before the match, Celtic asked for “banners, flags and symbols relating to the conflict and those countries involved in it are not displayed at Celtic Park at this time”.
Once the action got underway, the home side were inspired by the hostile atmosphere.
Matt O’Riley’s through ball sliced open the Atletico defence for Kyogo to dink home his seventh goal of the season.
But Brendan Rodgers’ men have found the step up to Champions League level tougher defensively and a naive challenge from Greg Taylor on Nahuel Molina handed the visitors a glorious chance to equalise.
Hart tipped Griezmann’s spot-kick onto the woodwork, but the ball bounced back kindly for the French international to roll into an empty net.
Celtic hit back within three minutes when Palma blasted into the far corner from Daizen Maeda’s cross.
Atletico thought they had levelled again before half-time only for Axel Witsel’s header to be ruled out for offside.
Diego Simeone’s men did not have to wait long after the break to equalise when Morata stooped to divert a brilliant header high past Hart from Marcos Llorente’s cross on 53 minutes.
Atletico then looked set to go on and win the game as Celtic paid for their first-half efforts by tiring in the second period.
But De Paul dived in on Paulo Bernardo to earn a second yellow card and at least give the hosts some breathing space in the closing stages, even if they failed to find a winner.
The Golden State Warriors, still awaiting star Stephen Curry’s return from knee and leg injuries that have sidelined him for 10 games, erupted for 42 points in the third quarter on the way to a 115-91 home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jordan Poole scored 22 of his 34 points in the third period as the defending champion Warriors erased an 11-point halftime deficit to notch a fourth straight victory.
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Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga scored 19 points each for the Warriors. Kawhi Leonard led Los Angeles with 21 points but the Clippers never recovered from the third quarter, in which they scored just 16.
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Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, had his shooting woes exposed by the Warriors as they left him wide-open on the perimeter, with Dyramond Green explaining the ploy post-game.
“The gameplan worked for us tonight,” he said.
“We got Russ to miss some shots. I think when you have a gameplan like that — I know everyone will always judge Russ’ jumpshot — but what that does to you mentally is tough.
“I think it was more so the mental than his shot. He’s been shooting the ball well. I think he’s shooting the three at 33 or 34 percent. But mentally, that can get tough.
“I thought we did a good job of sticking with the gameplan, and we was able to muck it up on the defensive side. It ended up working out for us.”
Embiid launches phenomenal but futile 3! | 00:41
LUKA, KYRIE MAKE STATEMENT
Luka Doncic scored 42 points and Kyrie Irving added 40 as the Dallas Mavericks thwarted the Philadelphia 76ers’ late comeback bid in a wild 133-126 NBA victory.
Offensive fireworks were expected in a game featuring the top two scorers in the league in Doncic and 76ers center Joel Embiid.
But the seamless blend of Doncic and Irving was a revelation after the Mavs had gone 1-4 with the two on court since Irving’s arrival via a trade with Brooklyn last month.
The two combined for 18 assists. Doncic made 13 of his 22 attempts from the floor, draining seven of the Mavs’ 25 three-pointers.
Doncic and Irving were the first duo in Mavericks franchise history to each record 40 points in the same game.
Kyrie Irving and new teammate Luka Doncic. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“Luka was ready for the party, I was ready for the party tonight,” Irving said.
“It was one of those games where we had some special performances and I’m just glad the work translated, because it could have gone either way.”
Irving made six of his eight three-pointers, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Mavericks respond after the Sixers cut a 25-point deficit to four with a 15-0 run to open the final quarter.
The Mavericks had seized control with an explosive third quarter in which they opened on a 20-4 tear and outscored Philadelphia 39-24.
The 76ers’ late push, however, recalled Dallas’ collapse from a 27-point lead in a loss to the Lakers.
Bucks beat Heat, but lose Giannis | 01:14
“It was a hard-fought game, and we did everything to make sure we were focused down the stretch,” Irving said after he and Doncic became the first Dallas teammates to score at least 40 points in the same game.
“I mean, two guys had damn near 100 points on us,” said Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris.
“It was tough with one wizard with the basketball in Luka and now they got two of them out there so it was a tough matchup.”
Embiid scored 35 points in his return after sitting out the 76ers’ victory in Miami.
He and three-time scoring champion James Harden were on the bench as the 76ers stormed back early in the fourth, with a Tyrese Maxey basket pulling Philadelphia within 110-106 with 9:22 to play.
An Irving bucket, off a feed from Doncic, then gave Dallas their first points of the period. He was fouled on the play and converted the free throw, then he and Doncic hit back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead back to double digits.
Harden, who had 19 points and 10 assists in the first half, was limited to eight points after the interval and gave up two turnovers in the fourth.
KUZMA SETS THE TONE IN WIZARDS WIN
In Washington, Kyle Kuzma’s big night propelled the Wizards to a 119-108 victory over the Toronto Raptors in the first of two games between the teams in three days.
Kuzma set the tone by scoring the first 10 points of the contest, draining a pair of three-pointers and throwing down a dunk to stake the Wizards to a quick lead.
He was still going strong in the fourth, capping a 12-2 Wizards run with a three-pointer and a layup that pushed Washington’s lead to 19 points.
Kuzma finished with 30 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 25 as the Wizards narrowed the gap on the Raptors in the race for ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
