All playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder Big 3 of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have never seemed to be on the same wavelength.
When Gilgeous-Alexander has been in MVP mode, Williams has been off. When Williams has been cooking, Holmgren has struggled to get it going.
For the Thunder to reach its full offensive form, all three have to play well. And on Thursday, they did.
In a 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38, Williams scored 26 and Holmgren scored 22. The trio helped OKC overcome a 27% showing from 3 as a team, and on defense, it provided its typical spark on defense.
Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off winning his first MVP, nabbed three steals and provided a solid presence when switched onto Minnesota star Anthony Edwards. Williams had a steal of his own and was often tasked with defending Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle. Holmgren’s defense didn’t show up in the statsheet, but he was dominant in protecting the rim.
Offensively, all three players turned in dominant performances.
The scoring totals tell some of the story, but the dominance of Gilgeous-Alexander was on full display.
The MVP was getting wherever he wanted, cashing in a flurry of midrange jumpers. Some were fading backward, some were on turnarounds and some were on pull-ups, but no matter the fashion, they were going in.
After drawing the ire of NBA fans online after a Game 1 in which some felt he was the beneficiary of a superstar whistle, Gilgeous-Alexander went back to work at the line. He shot 15 free throws, surpassing his Game 1 total, but the free throws he got tonight were often inagruable. Gilgeous-Alexander’s way of play will always agitate some, but the reality is he is just getting fouled a lot of the time. Sometimes he benefits from his stature in the league, but often, he puts defenders in an impossible situation in which they are left with no option but to foul.
Williams hit huge shots in the fourth quarter, including a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 13 after Edwards had begun to get hot and cut the lead to ten. Holmgren was big in his own right, slamming down multiple dunks over Minnesota defenders and establishing physicality down low.
Edwards and McDaniels kept Minnesota in the game, but for most of the time, OKC was able to keep the Timberwolves at arm’s length.
Heading to Minneapolis, OKC is two wins away from returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. The Thunder has dominated through two games, but the Timberwolves are likely to show fight at home.
Minnesota will bring its A-Game, but if Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren can repeat their performances from Game 2, the Timberwolves and any possible opponent would be in major trouble.
