Through three weeks of action, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 8-2. The Thunder suffered their first loss of the season on Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder would then suffer their second loss of the season on Sunday night in blowout fashion against the Golden State Warriors. The Thunder are currently in a three-way tie atop of the West — with Phoenix and Golden State at 8-2.
The Thunder offense looked better this week but their defense certainly took a step back this week. Allowing an average of 111 points per game during the week. Even with a slippage in their defense this week, the Thunder are leading the league in DRTG (100.3), points allowed (102.9), forced turnovers (19.4), steals (12.0), and blocks (7.2) per game.
Here’s my Week 3 — Thunder Player of the Week:
OKC Player of the Week
Jalen Williams
Although, the Thunder suffered two losses in week 3 (2-2). Jalen Williams was the best player for the Thunder throughout week 3. Williams averaged 21.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 58 percent from the floor and 38.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Williams has started the season a bit slow on the offensive end. However, he had without a doubt his best week in the early part of the season.
Williams put together a strong outing to begin the week against Orlando — putting up a team-high 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, an assist, and a block, on — 10 of 17 shooting from the floor and shooting 3 of 7 from beyond the arc.
In Game 2 — Williams nearly dropped a triple-double in their first loss of the season against Denver. Finishing with 29 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and a block, on — 11 of 20 shooting from the floor and shooting 4 of 8 from beyond the arc.
In Game 3 — Williams played a very efficient game and was impactful in areas that don’t show up in the stat sheet. Williams finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block, on — 7 of 11 shooting from the floor. Williams also had a game-high +21 plus-minus.
To end the week, Williams finished his best week of the season thus far, with 20 points, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 3 rebounds, and a steal, on — 9 of 15 shooting from the floor.
Jalen Williams Growing Into A Star
Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2022, Williams has grown into one of the most promising players on this iteration of the Thunder. Williams possesses good size at 6’6” with an absurd wingspan of 7’2. Allowing him to play multiple positions.
Due to him playing multiple positions, Williams has learned how to adjust to whatever the team needs. As he progressed, Williams has become the secondary creator on offense next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Williams is still only 23 years old and is a natural fit next to SGA. Williams is not just an off-ball player; he can also create for himself with a pull-up jump shot or get to the rim.
As Williams continues to grow as a playmaker and player, so will his responsibility and importance for this Thunder team as Coach Mark Daigneault has given Williams the responsibility as the primary ball-handler for the second unit.
Takeaways:
Through three weeks of action, the Thunder have a record of 8-2. They faced their toughest set of opponents this week during the early portion of the season thus far, as the Thunder received their first two losses of the season and finished week three at 2-2. Even with week three being the Thunder’s worst week thus far this season, the Thunder have a NET Ranking of +12.8 — which currently ranks 1st in the league.
Wins: vs Orlando (102 to 86) and vs Houston (126 to 107)
Losses: @ Denver (122 to 124) and vs Golden State (116 to 127)
Note: Chet Holmgren sustained an injury in the 1st quarter versus Golden State after taking a really hard fall on his right hip. Could not put any weight on his right leg as he went to the locker room. Did not return. The result of Holmgren’s injury is that he suffered a right iliac wing fracture. He is expected to return during the 2024-25 season, and an update on his return-to-play protocol will be provided in eight-to-ten weeks per Thunder PR.
This is a major blow for the Thunder. With the injury to Holmgren, the Thunder currently have no healthy bigs available which is an immediate concern.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
