The Oklahoma City Thunders lead 1-0 in the Western Conference Finals.
After just two days of break after eliminating the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the second round series, the OKC Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timber Wolves 114-88 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Former Nuggets coach and now earned major MVP support from ESPN analyst Michael Malone, Shy Gilgauss Alexander is once again leading OKC.
The estimated league MVP finished with a game-high 31 points over Minnesota, but his 11th free throw shot frowned on several fans.
Again, the Oklahoma City Thunder showed the strength of the numbers that propelled the historic 68 win season. And in Game 1 against the T-Wolves, one interesting name appeared as a key contributor.
Kenrich Williams played modestly in the first two rounds of this postseason and is now emerging as a huge wildcard for Mark Daygoon’s Thunder team.
The Big Man logged 10 minutes off the bench, finishing at plus 19 with eight points and three rebounds from a 3-3 shooting.
Williams came as early as the first quarter to help OKC defend the paint and contribute to the offensive side of the ball.
“He hasn’t played quite a few minutes in the game since his last regular season game, and that was five weeks ago.
“The amount of invisible work needed to be able to participate in such a playoff game in the Western conference finals can play his way.
“It’s incredible consistency, professionalism, mental toughness, everything about it, and I really believe it will bring life to the team.
“He’s been a big contributor for us this season and he didn’t actually play in the first two series. He’s bowing his head every day and getting ready, and getting in and delivering it like that was a huge energy boost for us.
“Our energy wasn’t where we needed to be in the first part of that game. He changed that. In the second half, he really changed it. He has a great credit to him.
In OKC’s fifth regular season, the 30-year-old registered 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in 16.4 minutes in 69 games (7 starts). He was primarily the fourth biggest man on the team in the rotation just behind Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Haltenstein and Jaylin Williams.
With the postseason in place, Williams really had to take the back seat and sacrifice his playing time. But the way he remained ready and professional to contribute in his long inactivity is undoubtedly admirable.
Holmglen is a huge Williams fan as his veteran guide and honors his influence to help his influence return from the previous game from this past round.
And to see him ball out and produce, the OKC star couldn’t be more ec at his moment when this playoff had finally arrived.
“No matter the situation or what’s going on in the game, he’ll show up and make it happen,” Holmglen said of Williams.
“I don’t think Mark would hesitate to call his name when he felt he needed that opportunity. I saw it tonight. He came in and was really spark plugs on both ends.
“That’s not something I don’t expect from him. I see how difficult he is, see how he’s working, it’s not outside of his game.”
Expect Williams to gain more reps and playing time as OKC begins to take a 2-0 series lead over T-Wolves in Game 2 on May 22nd.