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NBA is reportedly closing investigation into Thunder guard Josh Giddey

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The NBA has concluded its investigation into Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey, according to a report from ESPN on Thursday.

The decision comes months after authorities concluded they could not find conclusive evidence to pursue charges related to his alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor.

The allegations against 21-year-old Giddey arose from a now-deleted social media post from the end of November.

In January, Newport Beach, California, police released a statement noting that their investigation ended in an inability to “confirm any criminal activity associated with Mr. Giddey.” After the NBA conducted its own investigation for several months, the league has reportedly reached a similar conclusion.

In December, shortly after Newport Beach police announced they were launching their own investigation, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league's investigation would take a “backseat” to that of authorities.

Giddey continued to play for the Thunder during the investigation, appearing in 90 games for Oklahoma City this season between the regular season and the Western Conference semifinals. Giddey refused to comment on the matter several times throughout the season.

The now-deleted posts spread like wildfire on social media in the early hours of November 23rd. They showed a man, who appeared to be Giddey, with a woman. However, it is not known when the photos and video were taken.

Famed attorney Gloria Allred confirmed on December 4 that she is representing the family of the girl with whom Giddey was accused of having an inappropriate relationship.

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Giddey trained in Irvine, California, at a gym near Newport Beach.

He also received two traffic tickets in the area in July 2022, according to online court records viewed by The Oklahoman. Giddey was 19 at the time.

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When Josh Giddey was asked Thursday in Salt Lake City before the Thunder's game against the Jazz about shifting his focus back to basketball following the conclusion of the Newport Beach PD investigation, he responded with a general statement: “I understand that.” “I want to ask this, but I have no comment on this situation.”

When asked if he could describe the last few months, he gave the same answer.

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The Newport Beach Police Department announced Wednesday that it had completed its investigation into 21-year-old Giddey.

“After a thorough and comprehensive review, we have completed our investigation into the information circulating on social media regarding Josh Giddey,” the NBPD statement said.

“Our detectives have reviewed all available information and have been unable to confirm any criminal activity associated with Mr Giddey. The Newport Beach Police Department is committed to providing accurate information to the public while protecting the rights of all those involved.”

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The NBA's investigation into the Giddey case is ongoing, the league told Oklahoma on Wednesday.

But in an interview with ESPN's “NBA Today” in December, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would wait until the police investigation was complete before taking action.

“Looking back, I can’t think of many cases where we suspended a player based solely on an allegation,” Silver said. “So we have an allegation and then there is a police investigation and parallel to that there is a league investigation.”

“I would also like to add that we take a back seat when it comes to criminal investigations. You have an allegation, you have an ongoing criminal investigation – that impacts how the players and the players' association can work with us because, of course, the player has to protect his rights.

“I will never say, but I think that's the path we've consistently followed in the past. … That's the current state of affairs.”

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The Thunder selected Giddey with the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Giddey, 21, was born in Melbourne, Australia, and played for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League – Australia's top professional league – before joining the Thunder.

The 6-foot-8 winger averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 54 games for OKC during the 2021-22 season, earning him second-team NBA All-Rookie honors. He averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 76 games last season. In 39 games this season, he averaged 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

Giddey's sister Hannah played college basketball at Oral Roberts in Tulsa before transferring to Southern Nazarene in Bethany before the 2022-23 season. She averaged 12.7 points in 15 games this season.

Hannah Giddey, who is 16 months older than Josh, arrived in Oklahoma a year before her brother.

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