Through seven weeks of action, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 18-5. After coming off their toughest week of their season thus far, last week, a four-game, west coast road trip. This week, the Thunder were dominant going undefeated (3-0). The Thunder defeated Utah at home on Tuesday night to clinch Group B and advance to the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds. Then the Thunder went on a two-game road trip and took care of business with victories over the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans. In their three victories, OKC was a +74, for an average margin of victory of 24.6 points for the week, which is impressive regardless of this week being an easier week.
After a slow offensive start to the season, the Thunder are gaining a rhythm offensively climbing up to sixth in ORTG. Pair the Thunder’s surging offense with the historical numbers they’re putting up statistically on defense. The Thunder are leading the league in DRTG (103.9), opponent field goal percentage (42.5%), forced turnovers (19.2), steals (12.1), and NET (+11.9). The Thunder are also second in points allowed (103.8), 3-point percentage (33.3%), and true-shooting percentage (54%). And this is the reason as to why, the Thunder are at the top of the West, at 18-5. Despite dealing with an array of injuries, a quarter into their season.
Here’s my Week 7 — Thunder Player of the Week:
OKC Player of the Week
Jalen Williams
Jalen Williams is really emerging as a two-way star for the Thunder. Williams put together another good week and was the most consistent Thunder on both ends of the floor through week 7. Williams averaged 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.3 steals, while shooting 56 percent from the floor, 41 percent from beyond the arc, and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Year 3 Leap
Williams has really begun to elevate his play and is ascending into a two-way star in year 3. Williams is putting up career numbers across the board, as Williams is currently averaging 22 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, on 51/39/80 shooting splits.
In the 13 games since Chet Holmgren’s injury, Williams is averaging 24.1 points, 6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.3 steals, on 53/40/86 shooting splits (63.1% true-shooting percentage).
Jalen Williams Versatility
Here’s Thunder’s head coach Mark Daigneault earlier in the season, discussing how valuable and impactful Jalen William’s versatility is for this team.
“I think it’s more like highlighting how great of a player that he is. You know just the versatility to you know on a dime shift into that and in 3 games dominate the way that he has.”
“He has a chance to be a great player. He might already be one. What makes him great is how well rounded his game is…. There’s really nothing on the basketball court he can’t do.” Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams.
Takeaways
With a quarter of the season completed, the Thunder have a record of 18-5. 1st in the West. The Thunder had a pretty easy week. OKC took care of business this week, going 3-0, With victories over the Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Wins: vs Utah (133 to 106), @ Toronto (129 to 92), @ New Orleans (119 to 109)
Note: Alex Caruso returned to action against Toronto after missing 5 games due to reaggravating his hip. The Thunder improved to 3-1 and clinched West Group B — with their win over Utah and advance to the Knockout Rounds. The Thunder faces the Dallas Mavericks in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup on Tuesday night at 8:30 PM CT on TNT.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Image
