Giddey hits NBA milestone in return to Bulls' starters

Josh Giddey has racked up a significant milestone as he returned to the Chicago Bulls' starting five for the first time since a hamstring injury sidelined him a month ago.

The 23-year-old Australian finished with seven assists along with 10 points against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis on Wednesday night, becoming just the 15th player in NBA history to surpass 2000 career assists aged 23 or younger.

Giddey was back in the starting line-up after three strong games off the bench in his injury return and played 29 minutes.

However, some of his milestone gloss was lost as the lowly-ranked Pacers (12-36) snatched a 113-110 win, rallying from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit.

The Pacers' young Aussie Johnny Furphy scored just two points in his 22 minutes as a starter but they were timely, with his two late free throws helping provide the final margin.

Pacers star Pascal Siakam scored 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and Andrew Nembhard added 18 points, nine assists and six rebounds while Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls (23-24) with 25 points and nine rebounds.

In Boston, Australia's Dyson Daniels continued his resurgence with a strong all-round performance as his Atlanta Hawks upset the Celtics 117-106.

Asked to play a game-high 35 minutes, the Great Barrier Thief delivered in trademark fashion with a season-high five steals to go with his 15 points, nine assists, six rebounds and a block.

Seemingly down on confidence when shooting from range in the past month, Daniels made seven of 11 from the field, scoring with his one 3-point attempt, as the Hawks avenged a 132-106 home loss to the Celtics on January 17.

The ace defender also contributed to a tough night for Celtics star Jaylen Brown who scored 21 points but shot nine of 20 and missed all five of his 3-point shots.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks' scoring with 21 points, while Jalen Johnson had 19 plus 14 rebounds. The Hawks (24-25) sit one spot ahead of the Bulls at eighth in the eastern conference.

In Memphis, Australian centre Jock Landale's Grizzlies (18-27) fell to a fourth straight loss, going down 112-97 to LaMelo Ball's improving Charlotte Hornets (20-28).

Starter Landale had 10 points on 4 of 9 shooting while forward Jaren Jackson led Memphis with 26 points.

For the Hornets, Brandon Miller scored 26 points and Moussa Diabate had 18 and a mammoth 20 rebounds while Ball added 16 points.

Le Bron James endured a rough night in his latest return to Cleveland.

The 41-year-old LA Lakers superstar had only 11 points - the first time in 13 trips to Cleveland as an opposing player he has not had at least 20 - in a 129-99 thumping by the Cavaliers.

It was also Akron, Ohio native James's worst loss in Cleveland as a visiting player against the team he led to its only championship in 2016.

With The AP and Reuters