The OKC Thunder showed great fight in Game 4, coming up with a 111-104 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander yet again came up with another big performance coming up with 35 points on 50% shooting from the field, while Jalen Williams added 27 points.
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Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton combined for 38 points for the Indiana Pacers, but their struggles in the fourth quarter prevented them from grabbing a 3-1 series lead.
Bennedict Mathurin, who was praised for his performance in Game 3, managed only 8 points, but did not get a lot of looks, taking only two shots throughout the night.
The Thunder’s defense spoke for itself with how they were locked in defensively which had much to do with how their bench was tuned in as much as even the players on the floor were.
Alex Caruso, who was called the ‘secret weapon’ of the Thunder, had another 20-point performance, gave the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams his flowers for contributing vocally off the bench.
Caruso appreciates Jaylin Williams’ role for the OKC Thunder
Jaylin Williams was on the bench to start Game 4, but he made sure he was ready for his turn to contribute, helping the team by being vocal in huddles and letting them know what he was seeing on the court.
Alex Caruso noted that it was a ‘God-given’ ability and was grateful for Williams’ presence.
“J-Will has a very, very unique ability to be vocal. Something that is God-given, and something that comes naturally. I really think he has seen that at work possibly a little bit from me, and definitely through Kenrich Williams, speaking up whenever there’s a time when guys need it,” Caruso said.
Williams is only 22 years old and got a special mention from his coach, who praised what he was doing in the huddles for the team.
“J-Will had an unbelievable voice in the huddle tonight,” said Daigneault.
Jaylin Williams has been an impact player for the Young Squad
While he does not start, Williams is the kind of player for Oklahoma City that can come off the bench and make an impact on both ends of the floor.
Earlier in the Playoffs, Williams did a great job of slowing down Nikola Jokic against the Denver Nuggets.
Both teams’ benches have had to be on point as this is a very even series.
Williams has been the ultimate teammate, using his voice whenever they were not on the floor.
Williams continues to be the type of player that this young squad can look to in big moments.
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