Josh Giddey STARTS for the Thunder against the 76ers as Oklahoma City guard receives huge ovation despite the NBA's investigation into claims he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor

Josh Giddey lined up for Oklahoma City Thunder against the Philadelphia 76ers despite allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor currently being investigated.

The NBA has launched an investigation into claims that Oklahoma City's rising star had an inappropriate relationship with a minor after photos of him with a girl - including one where she boasted about having sex with him - were recently posted on social media.

Yet despite the allegations being made against him, Giddey is free to play for the Thunder against the Sixers in Oklahoma on Saturday night, meaning he has returned to the court for the first time since the photos surfaced online.

Coach Mark Daigneault confirmed before the game: '[He is] available to play, will play. No changes from a basketball standpoint. So I have no comment on anything else.'

Giddey was subsequently named amongst the starters for the Thunder against the Sixers at Paycom Center - and he received a loud ovation when introduced to the home crowd amid the ongoing investigation.

In one of the images posted online, the girl is seen to be bragging about having sex with Giddey, who has become one of the Thunder's key players since he selected by with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

The picture - in which a shirtless Giddey is stood behind her - is captioned 'just f***ed josh giddey'. 

Another shows the Australian player with his arm around her body and is captioned 'he says hey'.

There is also a video of Giddey supposedly talking to the girl's brother, in which he says: 'I'm here with your beautiful sister. 

'Good luck for your season. I hear you're going to Sacramento soon for a game so best of luck. We're going to come up and watch you take care of business.'

In another video, where she appears to be stood in the background outside a nightclub, Giddey says: 'What's up my man? We're at the front of the club, me and my girl, about to head back to mine.'

It remains unclear both when and where the pictures and videos were taken and how old the girl actually is.

Giddey faced the media for the first time on Friday since the investigation was launched, with the Oklahoma City star stepping up for interviews with reporters after practice.

He was immediately asked about the allegations made against him, with a reporter noting: 'Josh, you went viral over the past couple of days over some pretty serious allegations. I know nothing is concrete there, but is there anything you can say as to that situation?'

In response, he said: 'Yeah, I mean I understand the question obviously, but, err, there's no further comment right now.'

One reporter then posed a question about the team's defense, before a third reporter returned to the serious allegations and asked a follow-up. 

Giddey then replied: 'I get the question guys, I completely understand you guys want to know about it but just right now I don't have anything to say.'