Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have received the most attention when the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, but he reserved all his praise for his teammate.
Following the 128-126 win over the T-Wolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander spoke with ESPN and hailed Jalen Williams and his amazing work.
“[Jalen Williams] was special,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He was really good tonight from start to finish. He picked his spots great. He was aggressive. He stepped into everything. He was who he is. He’s gotten all these awards for good reason. He proved it tonight.”
Williams was sensational all night long, giving his best performance of the postseason with 34 points, helping his Thunder earn a daunting 3-1 lead in the series.
He was 13-of-24 from the floor, including 6-of-9 from the three-point range.
Those were the most three-pointers of his career and one of the key reasons why his Thunder won the game and are now just one victory away from reaching the Finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander did amazing work as well, posting 40 points and 10 assists, as well as nine rebounds.
Chet Holmgren completed the team’s big three, putting up 21 points and seven rebounds.
The Thunder are very close to reaching one of their goals: they could be fighting for a championship soon.
This has been the destination they’ve had in mind all season, but it was never possible unless the entire team participated and stepped up.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the team’s biggest star and now the league’s reigning MVP, but the Thunder is about more than just him.
Their success hinges on multiple players heating up from all over the court, including Williams.
The Timberwolves had no answer for Williams on Monday night, and it may have cost them the series.
NEXT: Latest Odds Show Favorite To Win NBA Finals