There’s nothing more Oklahoma City Thunder fans can ask from Jalen Williams who is making a good account of himself as the team’s emergency center with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein out.
Thunder lost a first full game without Holmgren for the first time in five games when they bowed to a close one against the Dallas Mavericks.
A loss, like one that is by a hairline, can be frustrating and people are starting to ask if the rest of Thunder boys can keep winning without their starting center and defensive anchor.
Williams, who stands at 6’5, is not amused with a reporter’s question on their anticipation of reinforcement from other big men.
Jalen Williams got asked if anyone on the team is targeting the JWill and iHart return dates as the point OKC has to stay afloat until.
“Not to diss your question, but that’s kinda a loser mentality. … Obviously we want our bigs back, but we’re not victims.” pic.twitter.com/Wkfse8c8PC
— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) November 18, 2024
“I feel like, not to diss your question, but that’s kinda a loser mentality. We are trying to survive going out there and win every game so there’s no way you go up there,” he said when asked if they are just tryin to stay afloat until Jaylin Williams and Hartenstein returns.
He added that they are not victims of the situation and they are managed to cope up.
“Obviously we want our bigs back, but we’re not victims. And I think that’s one thing that everybody’s been really good with all year.”
Jalen Williams stats and team rebounds versus the Mavs
To say that the designated big men of the Thunder, as undersized as they are, are just trying to stay afloat might sound insulting.
The whole team remains competitive in the last five games despite not having a legit center.
JDub himself scored 27 points in the game and grabbed five rebounds. The two other designated big man, Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort, grabbed five each, too.
While their individual numbers do not stand out, the Thunder as a whole should get their flowers for being able to go toe-to-toe with the Mavs despite getting out-rebounded, 29 against 53.
Next up for OKC is the San Antonio Spurs led by 7’6 unicorn Victor Wembanyama.
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