Through a month of action, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 12-4. The Thunder had a short week, playing only two games, going 1-1 for the week. The Thunder suffered a disappointing loss Tuesday night in their NBA Cup game against the “Wemby-less” San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder would then bounce back in their second game of a back-to-back with a convincing win against the Portland Trailblazers. The Thunder are tied for first in the West — with Golden State.
Although the Thunder are dealing with their fair share of injuries, they received a big boost as Isaiah Hartenstein made his Thunder debut on Wednesday against Portland. Despite facing a lot of adversity throughout the first month of the season, the Thunder are leading the league in DRTG (103.1), opponent field goal percentage (42.1), forced turnovers (20), and steals (12.4). The Thunder are also second in points allowed (103.6), blocks (7), and NET Ranking +10.6.
Here’s my Week 5 — Thunder Player of the Week:
OKC Player of the Week
Jalen Williams
Although, it was a short week for the Thunder, going (1-1). Jalen Williams was the best player for the Thunder throughout week 5. Williams averaged 28.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7 assists, 3.5 steals, and 1 block while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor, 33 percent from beyond the arc, and 100 percent from the free-throw line.
Williams has really begun to elevate his play over the last couple of weeks. Williams is currently averaging 21.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and one block per game on 51/39/81 shooting splits.
Williams Versatility
Serving as the de facto starting center. Williams has seamlessly transitioned from a wing to a big. He’s anchored one of the league’s best defenses despite a clear lack of size and rebounding disadvantage. The Thunder has the second-best net rating despite dealing with an array of injuries.
Williams continues to showcase his versatility — offensively, playing off-ball, to being the primary creator for the second unit, to being the starting center. Then defensively, literally guarding every position. The Thunder coaching staff continues to put Williams in different positions and Williams continues to pass these new set of challenges with flying colors.
In the seven games since Chet Holmgren suffered a hip fracture, Williams is averaging 25.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.5 blocks, on 55/37/100 shooting splits as the starting center.
High Praise from Mark Daigneault
Head coach Mark Daigneault had high praise as he talked about Williams as the starting center.
“Can shoot off the catch, can shoot off the dribble, can play in the mid-range, can get to the rim, can create for his teammates, can cut, can run, can defend one, defend two, defend three, defend four, defend five, blocks out,” Daigneault said. “The list of things that guy does — and it doesn’t matter what position you put him at — all this is doing is highlighting those things and just showing that you can stress him about as far as you can possibly stress him.”
“He’s taking the jump in guarding Zubac, Nurkic in the same week. Lively and Gafford. The guy is almost better the more circumstances you put him in,” Daigneault said. “I just don’t know how many players there are — there’s some — how many players that check that many boxes and then do those things with the effectiveness that he does them.
Takeaways
Through a month of action, the Thunder have a record of 12-4. The Thunder had their shortest week of the season thus far, playing only two games, going (1-1) for the week. The Thunder have had a rough slate early this season, but the Thunder have a four-day break, the most days between games it will have all season, not including the NBA Cup and the All-Star break, before beginning their road trip and toughest week of the season thus far. This break couldn’t have come at a better time.
Win: vs Portland (109 to 99)
Loss: @ San Antonio (104 to 110)
Note: Harteinstein made his Thunder debut on Wednesday against Portland. Posting a stat line of 13 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 assists, in 29 minutes of action. Hartenstein’s return is a major boost as the Thunder are glad to have an actual big return back to action. Isaiah Joe missed this week with a calf contusion and Alex Caruso reaggravated his hip against Portland. Ousmane Dieng sustained a small fracture in his right ring finger during the Oklahoma City Blue game on Friday.
Injury Status: Dieng will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. Caruso (hip strain) is out against the Sacramento Kings. Joe (calf contusion) is currently questionable against the Kings.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
