March 10, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CT
Grabbing the loose ball, Jaylin Williams out-ran Nikola Jokic in the one-on-one situation. The 23-year-old went coast-to-coast as he threw down the one-handed jam in the beginning stages of a high-intense fourth quarter. Needing someone else to step up, he turned in one of his best games ever.
The Oklahoma City Thunder survived another thriller in a 129-126 win over the Denver Nuggets. With a thinning frontcourt, Williams once again stepped up against the squad he’s dominated over the last two seasons.
Williams finished with 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting, 12 rebounds and three assists. He shot 7-of-11 from 3 and went 2-of-4 on free throws. He also had two blocks.
Think we’ve seen enough to confidently declare this — Williams has Denver’s number. He turns from a decent third-string center into Sengun-lite when he sees the Nuggets across from him. Turning in arguably his best game ever is the latest example of that.
Overcoming a decimated OKC frontcourt, Williams looked closer to an NBA All-Star. The outside jumper was as sharp as it’s ever been. When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drove to the basket, he kicked out to the 23-year-old. Rinse and repeat. He knocked down several looks. To the point that Denver adjusted with hard closeouts.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
“I was just taking the looks that I had. I might’ve shot a bad one with Zai in the corner, but I got fouled on it. But other than that, I was just taking the looks that they gave me. I highly believe in my jump shot, regardless of how it started this year, whatever I shoot in the game. I highly believe in my shot and my teammates highly believe in my shot as well,” Williams said. “When you have confidence in yourself and your teammates and your coaches and the whole building is telling you just keep shooting the ball regardless, it’s hard not to go out there and believe in yourself.”
Williams had nine points in the first quarter. That should’ve nudged you into thinking he could have a big night. He had 17 points in the second half to help the Thunder survive the nail-biter. While turning into prime Kevin Love was how he got most of his buckets, he also hung around the rim to get easy layups.
Matching minute for minute with Jokic, Williams has turned into OKC’s designated stopper of the three-time MVP winner. Sure, he had his best game against the Thunder in a while. But the 23-year-old nearly matched his production on the other end.
“He’s a great player. Of course. He has multiple MVPs. He leads that team. The ball is going through him almost every play. When I go out there, I know I’m not going to stop him,” Williams said about Jokic. “He got a 30-something point triple-double. You stop him from doing that. I’m just trying to make his job as hard as I can.”
Just another unreal chapter to a career season. Williams has really found his groove as an NBA player. When the Thunder need him to scale up due to injuries, he’s had no problem doing so by stuffing the stat sheet. It flies under the radar, but he’s one of OKC’s best developmental stories.