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Watch: Williams takes over late to complete sweep for Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) passes the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during Game 4 of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Jalen Williams takes over late to complete sweep for Thunder

With the Thunder clinging to a three-point lead late in Game 4, Jalen Williams put the team on his back.

Williams sandwiched two big threes around two made free throws on a personal 8-0 run late in Oklahoma City's 97-89 win over New Orleans, sweeping their first-round series. 

He also nabbed two steals and blocked a shot, the last steal coming right after the first triple, when he pickpocketed Brandon Ingram and turned it into free throws.

The second-year guard scored 24 points, tied for the game high with teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He also grabbed eight rebounds, impressive for a 6-foot-5 player who plays power forward for the Thunder. Despite a healthy size disadvantage, the Thunder hung with the Pelicans on the boards all series.

They'll now get some time off as they await the winner of the Clippers-Mavericks series, which is tied at 2-2. But Oklahoma City, the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history, didn't look inexperienced or scared at all in what was nearly every Thunder player's first playoffs. 

Whatever veteran-laden team advances, the Thunder — and the do-everything Williams — will be ready.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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