The Thunder's rising star is growing up fast and taking on new roles.
On Sunday, Thunder center Chet Holmgren suffered a pelvic fracture that will force him to miss at least 8-10 weeks. While Holmgren was out to an All-Star-caliber start, his absence provides an opportunity for Jalen Williams to take an All-Star leap.
In Wednesday’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans, Williams scored a season-high 31 points, the ninth 30-point game of his career. The third-year star shot 10-of-18 from the floor, including a 4-of-7 mark from 3-point range. In that game against the Warriors, Williams blocked four shots and blocked another two against the Pelicans, both on the same play. Williams’ interior defense has been part of his shift into the small-ball center role. He has even jumped at tipoff in the past two games.
He doesn’t need a 31-point game every night, but getting to that mark every couple of games would be massive. Still, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Thunder’s No. 1 option, and Williams understands that.
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