OKC Thunder Star Forward Set to Return to Court Against Timberwolves

The Oklahoma City Thunder is set to play its final In-Season Tournament game on Tuesday. For them, though, the game is nothing but a regular season matchup. The team has already been eliminated from going any further and winning an NBA Cup is something the team can't do this season.

Facing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their final game of the tournament, the Thunder face a tall task, as they're the No. 1 team in the Western Conference, with the Thunder trailing as the No. 2 team in the West.

The Thunder, ahead of the matchup, got some good news this week. Mark Daigneault confirmed on Monday that Jalen Williams will be making his return to game action after missing three games.

There are times when Williams' shot creation is needed to help the offense flow, and having that back against the Timberwolves, who are tied with the Houston Rockets for the second-best defensive rating in the league, will be a big bonus for the team.

On the season, Williams is averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc. Again, the offense will benefit from his return.

One underrated factor of the timing of Williams' return is his defensive impact against the Timberwolves in particular. He added plenty of strength this season, and it will be needed against the Timberwolves. They've got two good big men in Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns -- two players who provide different impacts but need some physicality to disrupt them offensively. Williams' length and strength will both be a benefit as the Thunder try to stop their two big men approach.

The Thunder will be facing a big test and have the potential to prove their strength and ceiling while playing one of the best current teams in the NBA.

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