Jalen Williams Flaunts Another Game-Altering Fourth Quarter Versus Trail Blazers
The fourth quarter has been Jalen Williams' time to shine vividly for Oklahoma City this season, proving his ability to help the Thunder come out on top in many outcomes.
Whether it's a cold-hearted dagger down the stretch, overwhelming defense, electric plays in transition or a game-winning step-back jumper, what he's provided in the fourth quarter alone as a sophomore would give any contending playoff team chills.
As the Thunder have been consistent on many fronts this season despite being such a young team, the consistency in Williams' outbursts in several games' final frame has been on that same level. Probably not the same level as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting up 30-plus points in a game, but you can surely bet that Williams is going to show up somehow, someway in the game's closing minutes.
On the season, the 6-foot-5 forward averages 7.2 points per game in the fourth, 11th in the NBA. He does this in 9.1 minutes, making 2.8 shots (third in the NBA) on 4.8 attempts (14th in the NBA), illustrating his efficiency in his late-game production.
As the Thunder had entered Wednesday night coming off 1-2 start to their road trip, they needed Williams to show up and help close out its away stretch with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
In a constant back-and-forth night off fending off a determined Blazers team and Anfernee Simons who caught fire from three, Williams' performance down the stretch was necessary for Oklahoma City to separate late in game and head back home with a win.
With a 97-87 advantage into the fourth, the Thunder had to hold on to its lead as they'd been doing the entire night.
Multiple trips to the free throw line saw Williams with a quick six points kept Oklahoma City out in front by double digits with just over half of the quarter left to play. And as the Trail Blazers went on a concerted 14-5 run, cutting the Thunder lead to just two at the 4:05 mark.
Out of an Oklahoma City timeout, a massive 3-pointer from Williams swung the momentum suddenly, and led to the Thunder fighting to maintain its five-to-six-point lead for the remainder of the game.
The exclamation point, and something we've seen from Williams several times this season, was a squared up dagger off the catch at the top of the 3-point arc with just 40 seconds left in the contest. From there, Portland could never recover.
It can be easy to overlook Williams' production, as it has become something that's expected because of his two-way proficiency this season. But as a sophomore, recognizing and appreciating what the 22-year-old is achieving in his second season in the league is essential.
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