Named to the All-NBA Third Team last week, Thunder forward Jalen Williams delivered an offensive gem in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday. He posted a postseason career-high 34 points in the 128-126 victory over the Timberwolves, giving OKC a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Williams went 13-of-24 from the field, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range. He had 13 points and four turnovers when his team got blown out in Game 3.
“I feel like if you’re not really good, you’re probably not going to have any [scrutiny], so just play with it, just keep going,” Williams said, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “A lot of people that are talking about me can’t do what I do, and I know that, and I think that gives me a lot of confidence to just go out there and do whatever the team needs.”
We have more on the Thunder:
- Oklahoma City has found different ways to get it done in this postseason, Tony Jones of The Athletic notes. The Thunder have been a great regular-season team for two years but this is the first time they’ve also become a great playoff team, according to Jones. In Game 4, they held off numerous Timberwolves runs. “I thought we did a good job of continuously moving the scoreboard,” coach Mark Daigneault said. “We especially did that late in the game, when there were situations down the stretch where it was a possession game. I thought the guys did a great job, taking it a possession at a time.”
- While they’re five wins away from a championship, the Thunder are also busy preparing for the future. They have scheduled a pre-draft workout with Kobe Sanders, a 6’7” guard, Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated tweets. Sanders averaged 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals last season for Nevada. Sanders is ranked No. 69 on ESPN’s big board.
- MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Timberwolves’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker are cousins and best friends. They’re now competing against each other for a trip to the Finals. “For both of us to be where we are is special, and to compete against each other is even more special,” Gilgeous-Alexander told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears within an in-depth feature on their relationship. “But I am trying to take his head off for sure, completely.”
Alexander-Walker is an intriguing free agent, he’s been great value for money the last 2 years for the Wolves.
I agree. Wonder if he could command 20+ per year
I think $20M+ may be a bit high for NAW, but I think he’ll get more the MLE. 4 years, $64M seems like a number that fits him.
@greg1 do you think he re-ups with the Wolves, or moves on? And what teams is he a fit? He’s a really interesting player honestly, he obviously isn’t SGA but he definitely has some of his talent!
Agreed Davey, I think he’s a sneaky good player.
I think the Wolves should re-sign him, but they just don’t seem to be willing to pay into the higher tax category. If Randle picks up his option (likely), I don’t know that the Wolves throw enough money at NAW to keep him.
I do like him for either Brooklyn, he fits their timeline, or San Antonio.
Shai = (Gervin+Penny+GrHill)/3
JDub = (Mashburn+Bonzi+Pierce)/3
Nickeil = (KCP+Elie+Delfino)/3
between you and sillivan and knickerbockeral i can’t pick who makes less sense on a post by post basis
@ Davey…look in the mirror.
Jalen Williams is the MVP of the series. Without him they are down 3-1.
He has really stepped up. Fantastic to see the growth in his game and execution.
Gary, is the enemy climbing out of the foxhole?
Not sure what you mean here? Am I the enemy? Or is it you? I’m confused.
OKC is the enemy? What’s the foxhole, is that where I am? Way over my head bro.
I’m teasing you. Last week you told me me that I wasn’t the kind of person you’d want in your foxhole :—)
OK, yes I remember. I said that because something you wrote made me come to the conclusion that you gave up too easy.
But I still don’t get the phrase, “is the enemy climbing out of the foxhole?”
Do you mean the series is over so it’s safe for you the enemy, or is it me the enemy, to come out of the foxhole because the war is over?
Who’s the enemy? I don’t think I’m in a foxhole with an enemy? I’m in there with you, but I wouldn’t want to be because you give up too easy.
I still don’t get it bro. But that’s cool. Remember that I am a little slow and definitely not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Gary, I’m not sure who the enemy is, but it’s definitely not you.
I’m just giving you a hard time because you pointed out all my flaws, like nobody would want to be married to me, be in a business with me, be in a foxhole with me, etc. That’s probably all true, but I try to keep it a secret.
OK gotcha.
Finals bound.