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Australia's Josh Giddey broke down in tears once his exit from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was confirmed as the Aussies blew a 24-point lead to Nikola Jokic's Serbia.
The controversial NBA star had guided his team to the quarter-finals finals in France before they lost 95-90 in overtime at the AccorHotels Arena on Tuesday, August 6 as the Denver Nuggets' Jokic booked his place in the semis.
Heading into the third quarter, Australia held a 54-42 lead and control of the contest but devastatingly were outscored 25-11 in the third to watch their lead completely obliterated before they fought back to force overtime.
Unfortunately, they were then outscored 13-8 in additional minutes and watched their chances of an Olympic gold medal destruct before their eyes, leaving Giddey gutted.
"We put ourselves in a great position to win that game," Giddey told media post-match. "And we come up short like that in overtime. So it's heartbreaking.
"It kills me that I have to wait four more years for another chance at this. But, man, I'm so proud of this group. I love this team. And you know, our coaches, our fans, deserved a lot better than this.
"I don't really know how to sum it up now. It's so raw and soon after the game. But you know, I just I love this team. And I believed we had the group to go all the way."
Giddey faced scrutiny
Giddey, aged 21, had spent much of late 2023 and 2024 under scrutiny for an alleged relationship with a minor after she posted photos of the pair on social media claiming they had sex together.
As a result, the NBA opened an investigation into the matter as did the Newport Beach Police Department, who on January 17, 2024, said the now Chicago Bulls star would not be facing any charges due to a lack of "corroborating evidence".
The NBA continued its own investigation until May 2024 when they announced they had been "unable to corroborate any criminal activity" by Giddey, and closed the matter allowing him to continue his career.