OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) \u2014 Jalen Williams keeps bouncing back.<\/p>\n
The Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star has suffered through poor shooting stretches in each of the past three playoff series. And each time, he\u2019s recovered to help the Thunder win critical games.<\/p>\n
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After two rough shooting nights to start the Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, the 24-year-old forward found his stride.<\/p>\n
In Game 4, Williams handled the ball more and was aggressive. He scored 27 points and made 8 of 18 field goals and 11 of 11 free throws. His success helped league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explode for 35 points as the Thunder won 111-104 to even the series at 2-2<\/a> and regain homecourt advantage.<\/p>\n He had similar moments in the Western Conference semifinals against Denver and the conference Finals against Minnesota.<\/p>\n Williams said he doesn\u2019t worry about whether shots go in because his confidence comes from his complete game. He’s a willing passer and a second-team All-Defense selection.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cI work really hard on my game,\u201d he said. \u201cSo there won\u2019t be a game where I don\u2019t shoot well and it affects my confidence to not shoot those shots my teammates need me to shoot. That\u2019s the confidence I have going into it, and wherever the shots fall, they fall.\u201d<\/p>\n Indiana has been good at adjusting throughout the season and the series under coach Rick Carlisle. The Pacers, as usual, will be confident in their preparation heading into Game 5 on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing now at this stage, I just think that we\u2019ve had those games under our belts where the guys have come through when we haven\u2019t done things well, and we\u2019ll be able to correct it,” Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said. “I think that experience is there.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams has no issue with correcting things, either.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Against Denver, he went into a three-game slump during which he made 10 of 43 field goals and averaged 11.3 points. He followed by scoring 24 points on 10-for-17 shooting in a blowout victory in Game 7.<\/p>\n