Josh Giddey can’t be suspended on ‘allegation alone’, NBA commissioner Adam Silver says amid probe into claims of an inappropriate relationship between the Thunder star and a minor

Josh Giddey will continue to play for the Oklahoma City Thunder because he cannot be suspended based on an “allegation alone,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said during a criminal investigation into claims the Australian basketball star had an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

Giddey, 21, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a California teenager after photos and videos surfaced on social media last month.

“I can't think of many circumstances where we've suspended a player based solely on an allegation,” Silver said on ESPN's 'NBA today'.

“So in this case we have an allegation and then you have a police investigation and then a parallel league investigation. I would also add that if there is a criminal investigation, we will take a back seat. This affects how the players and players' association can work with us, because of course the player must protect his rights.

“I'm not going to say never, but I think this is the path we've consistently followed in the past.”

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Josh Giddey cannot be suspended based on 'allegation alone'

Giddey is under investigation for allegedly having an intimate relationship with a minor

Photos and videos of Giddey with the teen surfaced on social media last month