Takeaways: One growing concern, and one key improvement for the Thunder in win over Heat

The Oklahoma City Thunder got back down to business on the defensive end in the second half, which helped the team end their four-game road trip 2-2.

Jan 10, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives to the
Jan 10, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives to the | Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
4 of 4

Jalen Williams is a pick-and-roll master

We all know Jalen Williams’ game. He is a shotmaker, an on-ball savant, and a superb two-way player. 

In this game versus the Heat, Williams showed another facet in his rapid rise to potential superstardom. 

Jalen Williams had a career-high 12 assists along with 19 points. Arguably, this was the best basketball WIlliams have played in the entire year, effectively scoring at will  and dishing dimes for teammates. 

This alley-oop dunk pretty much summed up his performance in the game. 

Jalen Williams has been special for the Thunder. More so now that he may have unlocked a new dynamic in his game with his pick-and-roll mastery. 

Williams has been making great reads as a ball-handler, leveraging the threat of his driving and pull-up game to clear space for his teammate. 

His chemistry has been superb too, especially with Chet Holmgren. Williams has dished five assists for Holmgren in the game. 

This performance followed his 10-assist game against the Wizards, signaling his growth in this aspect of the game. 

He was also a great facilitator off generated paint touches, as he assisted on five threes in the game off his sheer on-ball gravity. 

Jalen Williams is growing in front of our eyes. Perhaps he is the piece that determines where this OKC Thunder core go from here. 

Schedule