Jalen Williams Going to be Key in Next Stretch

While the Oklahoma City Thunder are in pursuit of a Play-In position, they’re looking ahead to some potential issues.

First things first, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is dealing with an abductor strain that’s accumulated over time. This is something that could re-flare throughout the end of the regular season and force Gilgeous-Alexander out of some games, and more specifically back-to-back games. Then, there’s going to be close games – even when Gilgeous-Alexander is healthy – in which the Thunder will need services that Jalen Williams can provide.

So, during games Gilgeous-Alexander misses, the Thunder aren’t going to consistently get Isaiah Joe career-high games that keep the game close. Instead, the Thunder need someone who can consistently provide offense off the dribble to open things up offensively for the squad. Williams can fit that mold and provide that for the Thunder, especially working off a playmaker like Josh Giddey.

This would also help Williams' progression throughout the end of this season and he continues to hit his “rookie stride,” as Coach Daigneualt said.

Eventually, this would lead to filling the second issue that Williams could help in. The Thunder aren’t the only team making a Play-In or playoff push right now. They’re going to be in plenty more games where they’ve got to battle, like they did recently against the Jazz.

Gilgeous-Alexander was heavily suffocated but he was the only player on the court who could get a bucket at will off the bounce, allowing the defense to focus on him.

If Williams plays with confidence and aggression, he can help relieve the stress and pressure from the defense for Gilgeous-Alexander, giving the Thunder a much needed clutch time boost.

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