Photo credit: Basket USA
Jalen Williams Shows All-Star Potential in New York Spotlight
As the legend persists, every time a team plays at Madison Square Garden, a player from the opposing side seems to evoke Michael Jordan. This occasion, it was second-year wing Jalen Williams who displayed a superstar performance against the New York Knicks on Sunday night.
With the Thunder on the verge of clinching their first playoff spot since 2020, Williams put up an impressive stat line of 33 points, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and just one turnover. He overshadowed All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, leading Oklahoma City to a narrow 113-112 victory at Madison Square Garden."It took grit, it took fight, it took (Williams) being miraculous all night," Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. "It took a lot of things, but every night is different. You never know what it's going to look like, but we'll take our W's. We won't take it for granted."
Williams shot an impressive 14-of-18 from the field on Sunday, with only one miss from within the 3-point arc. The Santa Clara alum proved nearly impossible to contain in the midrange, effortlessly sinking challenging shots over New York's defense.
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However, one of the standout highlights of Williams' performance came in the fourth quarter. The former lottery selection showcased his clutch ability by scoring 10 of his 33 points in the final period, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field to spearhead OKC's comeback victory.
Throughout the season, Williams has emerged as one of the NBA's top performers in the fourth quarter, boasting impressive shooting percentages of 56.3% from the field and 52.2% from beyond the arc during this crucial game phase.
Although Gilgeous-Alexander ultimately sealed the win with a game-winning shot in the final seconds of regulation, it was Williams who fueled Oklahoma City's triumph, especially considering the off-night experienced by the team's superstar by his usual standards.
"We trust each other to make the right plays," Williams said after the game. "I think it's just more about trust and trying to make the right play every time. I think we've been doing a really good job of that this year.''
In his return to action after sitting out the Thunder's previous two games with a quad injury, SGA put up 19 points, shooting 7-of-16 from the field.
Throughout the season, Williams has proven to be a valuable second scoring option for coach Mark Daigneault, averaging 19.3 points, 4.5 assists, four rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. He's demonstrated the capability to lead the team offensively when necessary. Furthermore, Williams excels as a help defender and perimeter stopper, utilizing his length to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots effectively.
With Sunday's win, the Thunder secured a playoff berth after falling short in the Play-In Tournament last season. Given Williams' strong defensive skills and reliable scoring, the 6-foot-5 wing's playing style bodes well for postseason success.
Source : OKC Thunder Wing Jalen Williams Flashes Superstar Potential in New York
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