Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault offered high praise for forward Jalen Williams following a dominant 130-106 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Daigneault highlighted Williams’ rapid development while noting there’s still more to come from the third-year player.
“He’s established himself as a great player, a high-impact player,” Daigneault said, per Brandon Rahbar. “And he’s got the humility, the confidence, and the drive to keep on improving. He’s only in his third year. He’s not a finished product.”
Williams played a pivotal role in Oklahoma City’s 11th straight victory, registering 14 points and 10 rebounds in the blowout win. His consistent performances have been critical to the Thunder’s 26-5 record, which includes a commanding five-game lead over Memphis in the Western Conference standings.
Daigneault emphasized Williams’ mindset as a key factor in his success. “I have great admiration for his willingness to do that. It shows he wants to be great. He sees the big picture,” Daigneault added.
The Thunder displayed their dominance early in the game, outscoring Memphis 42-19 in the second quarter to build a 76-50 halftime lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 35 points, seven assists, and four blocks on an efficient 14-of-19 shooting.
Rookie Ajay Mitchell added 17 points, while Aaron Wiggins chipped in 16 off the bench. Williams’ all-around performance and Isaiah Hartenstein’s defensive presence, including three of Oklahoma City’s nine blocks, helped secure the win.
Memphis, playing without Ja Morant and rookie Zach Edey, struggled offensively, shooting just 38.1% from the field and 27.5% from beyond the arc. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. managed only 13 points on 3-of-17 shooting.
Despite their struggles, the Grizzlies’ bench provided some energy. Luke Kennard contributed 16 points, and rookie Yuki Kawamura added 10 points and three assists. However, Memphis’ 21 turnovers, leading to 33 Thunder points, proved too costly.
Williams has been a cornerstone for Oklahoma City, averaging a career-high 21.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game this season. His versatility on both ends of the floor has been instrumental in the Thunder’s rise to the top of the standings.
