Heroic NBA Finals performances from Thunder All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have brought Oklahoma City to the brink of its first franchise since leaving Seattle, writes Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.
With MVP Gilgeous-Alexander still just 26 and Williams merely 24, the future is bright for this young Thunder squad.
Grange notes that Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player in NBA history to compile at least 31 points, 10 assists, four blocks, and two steals in a Finals game in Monday’s pivotal 120-109 win over Indiana, while Williams scored a whopping 40 points.
“He was, like, really gutsy tonight,” Gilgeous-Alexander raved about Williams after Game 5. “Felt like every time we needed a shot, he made it. He wasn’t afraid. He was fearless tonight.”
There’s more out of Oklahoma City:
- The Thunder’s role players are happy to sacrifice individual accomplishments to serve the greater whole, writes Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. Beyond stars Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and center Chet Holmgren, role players Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins proved critical off the bench in Game 5, notching 25 combined points, to help Oklahoma City ice the victory. All-Defensive wings Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso have been crucial on both ends of the hardwood throughout the series. “That’s the culture of our whole team,” Williams said. “Everybody is ready to do whatever it takes to win.”
- Wiggins in particular has been a valuable contributor for the Thunder during the Finals on both sides of the ball. As Rylan Stiles of Thunder On SI observes, the fact that a former No. 55 draft pick can even have any kind of playoff impact is a great reflection on Oklahoma City’s developmental program.
- Although Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 32.4 points, 5.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per night through five Finals games for the Thunder, Zach Harper of The Athletic wonders if an ascendant Williams could swipe the Finals MVP award from him with his terrific two-way play of late. Across the last three contests, including two Oklahoma City wins, Williams has averaged 31 points while shooting 50.8% from the field and 40% from distance.
Lets go Thunder. SGA bring home the title KD could never!
Swipe what honour? I assume you mean Finals MVP?
Isaiah Joe, Ousmane Dieng, Ajay Mitchell & a future 2nd to New Orleans for Herb Jones
Why not add another elite defender to the mix?
Pels alr have 2 forwards that are better than Herb as well as the option to re-sign Bruce Brown so they don’t don’t need Herb. In this deal they get a great shooter in Joe with plenty of playoff exp as well as a promising young pg in Mitchell who can help them while Dejounte is out. The big prize would be Dieng tho. I still have faith in his game & given a 2nd chance in NO (reverse Dice Daniels) hime could blossom into a big time player.
“first player ever to score 31 or more points, dish out 10 or more dimes, block four or more shots, and swipe two or more steals during a Finals contest”
Every time I see an obscure, ridiculous ‘record’ like this mentioned, that scene from Mr. Baseball plays in my mind and I can hear Tom Selleck say “but I led the league in 9th inning doubles during the month of August!”
How good would the clippers be if they never trade sga?
In that alternative universe they also don’t get Kawhi