Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams took over late in the Oklahoma City Thunder126-199 victory over Dallas on Thursday.
The duo combined to score 20 points in the fourth quarter and help the Thunder maintain pace atop the Western Conference standings.
Gilgeous-Alexander is no stranger to the position, as he has become one of the best players in the NBA over the past few years.
Williams, Santa Clara’s second-year wing, was more of a surprise.
Williams hopes to continue his rise Saturday when the Thunder host the Memphis Grizzlies.
“When you grow up watching basketball, that’s what you see,” Williams said of the plays he and Gilgeous-Alexander made against the Mavericks. “You watch the biggest stars make these plays. That’s the position every player wants to be in. I think for me it’s just more exciting to be able to play those positions.
“These are the moments we all live for.”
Williams is hoping Saturday’s game against the Grizzlies goes better for him than last game.
During Oklahoma City’s 124-93 win over the Grizzlies on Sunday, Williams re-aggravated an ankle injury twice, playing just 10 minutes before leaving the game for good after twisting his ankle when he fell on a cameraman from the court after a layup.
Even as his role expands, Williams’ energy continues to grow as well.
“It comes from how hard he plays,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s really that simple. It’s interesting to see guys who can get a lot of minutes, who can sap your effort and your energy over the course of a long season. And when you get the ball more, it can undermine your efforts and energy. It’s human nature.
“As he gained possession, his energy, his defense, his effort, his intensity, none of that diminished.”
Oklahoma City (46-20) enters Saturday’s game having won 11 of its last 14 games. The Grizzlies are coming off a 110-98 loss to Charlotte and have lost three of their last four games.
The Grizzlies (23-44) have struggled with injuries for much of the season, but could soon get some help with the return of shooting guard Desmond Bane from a sprained left ankle.
Bane hasn’t played since January 12.
Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson, who had not become a regular member of the rotation when Bane went down, averaged 13.8 points and shot 43.5 percent from the floor in over 24 minutes per game at over his last 29 games.
Jackson eagerly awaits Bane’s return.
“Playing on the field with him, it should be fun,” Jackson said. “The better players will have to guard it, so I can catch other defenders releasing a back cut or something like that. It should be good.”
Even though the Thunder are 27-7 at home, they will need success on the road if they want to secure first place in the Western Conference. The Thunder will play nine of their next 12 games on the road, starting with Saturday.
Saturday’s meeting is the last of three between the teams this season. The Thunder won the first two meetings by an average of 20 points.
–Field level media
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