Giddey is thriving as a floor general on the third-fastest team in the league, and Chicago (33-42) is 11-9 since the All-Star break. It's now 10th in the East with a strong chance of reaching the play-in tournament.

After being benched in the Thunder's final two playoff games last season, Giddey's exit interview with Sam Presti left only one option on the table if he were to return for a fourth season in OKC — come off the bench.

Josh Giddey faced his former team for the first time back in October, when the Bulls hosted the Thunder during the first week of the regular season. But Monday’s contest represented the first time that Giddey had returned to Oklahoma City since the two teams completed the trade sending him to Chicago in exchange for Alex Caruso last June.