On Friday Night, the OKC Thunder stole the show. In Salt Lake City, Utah, the NBA world is gathered for NBA All-Star Weekend, and the first night of events took place with the Celebrity game and NBA Rising Stars contest.
The Oklahoma City Thunder stole the show with Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams’s electric performances on and off the floor in that Rising Stars game. Josh Giddey was mic’d up on TNT and throwing dimes while talking to the broadcast crew. Not to mention the outfit he showed up in, inspired by Justin Beiber.
The OKC Thunder stole the show at All-Star Weekend with rave reviews, publicly and privately.
On Friday Night here in Salt Lake City, anytime I met someone from scouts to broadcasters, fellow media members, and players, when I told them I was here to cover the Oklahoma City Thunder, they went on a rant about how good this team will be sooner rather than later. The Thunder’s young core is already putting those within and around the league on notice.
It took another step on Friday night when Josh Giddey six assists, three rebounds, and as many points on 1-for-1 shooting in game one and followed that effort up with a two-point, three rebounds, and one-assist performance in the championship game, which only went to a target score of 25.
Jalen Williams was very Jalen Williams-y, unselfish even at an All-Star event, jumping in the passing lanes to swipe some steals and, of course, throwing down a slam.
Even the Thunder’s first-time All-Star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was sitting courtside to support his two youngsters. Something that Jalen Williams noticed and appreciated saying, “it was special. It’s really cool, it shows the bond we all have.”
Williams told me he would repay the favor and support Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday, sticking in Salt Lake City to see SGA’s first-ever All-Star game.
While the OKC Thunder duo representing Team Noah eventually fell in the Championship game to Team Pau thanks to Jose Alvarado going for five points, including the game-winning triple with an assist and a rebound to grab that Rising Stars MVP trophy.