On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Thunder were on the verge of going down 3-1 entering the fourth quarter in Game 4. However, the dynamic duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams combining for 62 points helped the Thunder pull off a win on the road to tie it up 2-2. Then, in a pivotal Game 5, the biggest game in Thunder history, Williams backed it up with a playoff career high of 40 points to help the Thunder take a commanding 3-2 series lead. Williams has shown a ton of uncommon growth and maturity in these playoffs, for only being a third-year player in the NBA, and he has the potential to help make this a special next decade in OKC.
However, the positives that Williams has shown recently haven’t always been there, and there were many doubts about whether Williams can be that second option. It showed up in the Nuggets series, where he was inconsistent and people were questioning whether or not he was still ready. However, since then, he has averaged 22.2 points per game in the Western Conference Finals and is averaging 25.8 points per game in the NBA Finals. He has helped the Thunder get one win away from the NBA Finals. Let’s dive into Williams’ recent play and why this can turn out to be special for OKC in the future.
Jalen Williams Has Proved His Doubters Wrong in the NBA Finals
Jalen Williams’ Early Struggles
Williams has grown early and fast at a high rate from increasing his points by five from his rookie season to his second season in the NBA. Then he went from being a borderline all-star to becoming a first-time All-Star player this year, and helped the Thunder achieve 68 wins this year. All the signs were there for him to become a special player for the Thunder in the future. However, it was still unclear if he was ready to be the second option in a playoff setting.
Last year in the Mavericks series, the answer to those questions was no, as he struggled immensely on the offensive side. This year, those same problems happened in the Nuggets series, as he struggled once again in the second round of the playoffs. It seemed like Williams wasn’t ready yet, even though he showed small signs of improvement in the Nuggets series; he still struggled. The question became, are the Thunder putting too much pressure on a third-year NBA player to be the second go-to scorer on a championship team? However, since Game 7 of the Nuggets series, Williams has been on a tear and has been everything the Thunder had hoped for. The only question is, how did he get there?
Williams Has Learned From His Mistakes
Williams has finally learned from his mistakes in the playoffs and has turned the corner because of it. In the Mavericks series, he was being too passive, simply trying to make the right play. However, this year he learned from that and was better at when to hunt for his shots and when to be passive. In the Nuggets series, his process of getting to his spots, not rushing, and when to be passive were all there, but the shots just weren’t falling. Even though Williams struggled, he still made timely and clutch baskets for OKC to help them win tough games against the Nuggets.
Then, entering Game 7 of the Nuggets series, everything changed for Williams. He trusted the process, trusted his work, was patient, learned from his mistakes, and was able to be rewarded for that. In Game 7, he exploded with an efficient 24 points. Then, in the Western Conference Finals, he had two games of scoring over 20 points and two games that were just shy of 19. Notably, he had a 34-point outing in the biggest game of that series. Now in the Finals and the two biggest games for OKC, he scored 27 points, then followed it up with 40 points. He is showing signs of who the Thunder thought he could turn into at such a young and inexperienced age.
What This Means for OKC Moving Forward
What Williams has done in this playoff run, and he is still just 24 years old, should be a massive warning sign to the league. The Thunder are one win away from winning the NBA Finals, and all signs point to that becoming a reality, whether it happens in Game 6 or 7. This Thunder team has all the makings of being the next great dynasty in the NBA. You look at all the other ones, like the Bulls with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, or the Lakers with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, the Heat with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, or the Warriors with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
All of these teams had one thing in common: an unstoppable duo that led to multiple championships or appearances. Shai is already the league’s MVP and easily a top-three player in the NBA if not the best. Then you add what Williams has shown he can bring to the table by being the second go-to scorer, and even on some nights out playing SGA. Both players are still young with plenty of chances for improvement. Chet Holmgren completes the Thunder’s incredible young big three. Overall, this Thunder team has all the makings of being a dynasty in the NBA and winning multiple championships.
The Last Word
What Williams has shown in just his third year in the NBA is pretty rare to see. Usually, it takes a couple of years for players to be able to meet the moment and help a team win the Finals like Williams has done. Whether or not the Thunder can win the title this year, or even win multiple rings, fans should appreciate what they are seeing from Williams. Ultimately, this is the best Thunder team of all time, and Williams has been a crucial part of their success.
More must-reads:
- Former NBA champion shares shocking opinion on Luka Doncic
- Colts to sign key offensive lineman to a massive extension
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
LA Lakers have inside track to sign 2x All-Star in new buyout deal, it would complete their roster
Analyst Believes Kings Will Trade Star Player if They Land Warriors' Young Forward in Free Agency
The Sacramento Kings have been busy this offseason as they have made multiple moves to upgrade their roster to chase a playoff spot in the Western Conference next season. It all started in the 2025 draft for the Kings where they traded into the first round to select Nique Clifford and then used their second-round pick to draft Maxime Raynaud. They then landed Dennis Schroder in free agency via a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons to upgrade their starting point guard position. Sacramento has also been linked to many other players in free agency this offseason, including Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga who is a restricted free agent. If the Kings want Kuminga, they will have to acquire him via a sign-and-trade with the Warriors and if they are able to do so, Sactown Sports 1140’s Allen Stiles believes that they will move on from one of their star players. “I believe that there is a handshake agreement between DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings. That is my belief,” Stiles said. “If Jonathan Kuminga is acquired by the Sacramento Kings, the Sacramento Kings will get their butts in gear as far as getting DeMar DeRozan to another team.” This is a bold statement by Stiles but one that makes sense since DeRozan and Kuminga play the same position. Of course, DeRozan has been in trade rumors since the end of last season for the Kings but he has not had a large trade market thus far which has kept him on Sacramento’s roster. That may change if they are able to land Kuminga though as they would want Kuminga in their starting lineup which would force them to move DeRozan. If this ends up being the case and Stiles is right, the Kings may not receive a large trade package in return for their veteran forward but it would allow them to open up playing time for Kuminga if they are able to acquire him from Golden State.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Ryan McMahon Only Needed 2 Games With the Yankees to Embarrass Aaron Boone
Only eight plate appearances into his New York Yankees career, Ryan McMahon has already been more productive than the team’s previous third base options. What might sound hyperbolic or outright false at first glance is actually true, at least from a certain point of view. Analytics — specifically, Wins Above Replacement — proves that argument, and it’s one that Yankees manager Aaron Boone should be ashamed of. McMahon went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in Sunday’s victory over the Phillies, giving him four hits in his first eight at-bats. FanGraphs ruled that McMahon is already worth 0.2 fWAR through two games in a Yankees uniform. Amazingly, McMahon has a higher fWAR than the trio of DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Jorbit Vivas, who have played a combined 148 games in the infield thus far. LeMahieu provided -0.1 fWAR over 45 games before being unceremoniously cut earlier this month, while Vivas (-0.2) is currently at Triple-A. Peraza and his -0.6 fWAR remain on the active roster, though he’s shifted into a bench role. Baseball-Reference has been slightly more generous, giving Peraza -0.2 bWAR. Boone stuck with LeMahieu and Peraza until he couldn’t anymore, and it’s partly why the Yankees have dropped to 5 1/2 games back in the AL East. Injuries and age took their toll on LeMahieu, who only played second after returning from calf and hip problems. Peraza owns a .152 average and .452 OPS in 170 plate appearances. We’ll see if McMahon can elevate the Yankees, who open a pivotal four-game set with the rival Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
CBS Sports names Jaxson Dart as NY Giants' Biggest Reason for Hope
Few teams reshuffled their roster more than the New York Giants did this offseason. That can happen when seats are warm, ownership is displeased, and external chatter is relentless. Coaching and scheme design will be essential, but this squad appears to be deeper and more versatile. The makings of a competitive squad are evident, leaving many fans genuinely hopeful for the new campaign. However, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports believes the biggest cause for optimism comes in the form of a player who will not even begin the season on the field. "As exciting as Abdul Carter and his injection along a defensive line that already consists of Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence is, what gives New York Giants fans hope is Jaxson Dart," he writes. "Of course, it's a question as to when we'll actually see Dart with Russell Wilson, likely the Week 1 starter, but he provides hope for a brighter tomorrow and heads to New York with a ton of raw skill." Sullivan alludes to something that everyone knows: the quarterback is king in this league. Yes, teams have won Super Bowls without their signal-caller posting huge numbers, but competency under center is vital. The anguish Giants fans have suffered over the last several years is proof of that. This franchise has stumbled in the absence of a reliable quarterback. There have been a myriad of other problems on both sides of the ball, in the front office and on the sidelines during the last decade-plus, but an effective offensive centerpiece could have probably made at least some difference. It is pointless to lament the past. Dart is allowing the team and fan base to look into the future. Now, he must work hard to ensure that he can validate that optimism and decisively change the trajectory of Big Blue football. Can he do it? Although there are questions about Dart's pocket presence, touch, and ability to adapt to an NFL offense, he has the physical talents and collegiate experience to warrant a fair amount of enthusiasm. The NY Giants trust Jaxson Dart to turn this franchise around The Giants certainly believe in him, as demonstrated by the organization's decision to pull off a trade with the Houston Texans to move back into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The No. 25 overall pick particularly impressed head coach Brian Daboll with his preparedness and leadership skills. He also put up pretty good numbers at Ole Miss. Jaxson Dart posted a fantastic 69.3 completion percentage and threw for 4,279 yards last season, which ranked third in the country. The First-Team All-SEC selection recorded 29 passing touchdowns to just six interceptions and totaled 495 rushing yards. While there is no guarantee the 22-year-old's balanced attack will carry over into the NFL, he has the tools and seemingly the right mentality to enjoy a memorable run with the Giants. And that is enough to imbue the Meadowlands with color during training camp and throughout the 2025-26 season. Whether or not Dart leaps over veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the depth chart will depend on multiple factors, with the most important one being his development. Still, New York has at least put together a worthwhile plan. Now, we wait to see how it all shakes out. What happens next with the NY Giants? Find out! Follow and like us on Facebook. Visit our YouTube channel for the latest videos. Want to send a question in for our mailbag? You can do so here.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
