Latest news with #conferenceFinals
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Jalen Williams' resilience helps Thunder gain solid position heading into Game 5 vs. Pacers
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Williams keeps bouncing back. The Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star has suffered through poor shooting stretches in each of the past three playoff series. And each time, he's recovered to help the Thunder win critical games. After two rough shooting nights to start the Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, the 24-year-old forward found his stride. 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 and regain homecourt advantage. He had similar moments in the Western Conference semifinals against Denver and the conference Finals against Minnesota. Williams said he doesn't 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. 'I work really hard on my game,' he said. 'So there won't be a game where I don't shoot well and it affects my confidence to not shoot those shots my teammates need me to shoot. That's the confidence I have going into it, and wherever the shots fall, they fall.' 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. 'Being now at this stage, I just think that we've had those games under our belts where the guys have come through when we haven't done things well, and we'll be able to correct it,' Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said. 'I think that experience is there.' Williams has no issue with correcting things, either. 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. In the conference finals, he had 13 points on 3-for-9 shooting in a 143-101 loss to Minnesota. He responded with 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting in the next game, a 128-126 win. The pattern has continued in the Finals. In the first two games, he shot a combined 11 for 33. The next two, he shot 17 for 26 and averaged 26.5 points per game. Williams changed the trajectory of Game 4, and perhaps the series, with his performance. The next step in his development is to maintain that high shooting level. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault believes anything is possible with Williams. 'I thought in Game 3, his first stint was one of his worst stints of the series,' Daigneault said. 'He catches his breath and reflects on that. He had a much better stint later in that game and then came out and was really big time for us in Game 4, not only his creation but just some of the simple plays he made to put his teammates in advantages.' ___ AP NBA:
Fox Sports
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Jalen Williams' resilience helps Thunder gain solid position heading into Game 5 vs. Pacers
Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Williams keeps bouncing back. The Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star has suffered through poor shooting stretches in each of the past three playoff series. And each time, he's recovered to help the Thunder win critical games. After two rough shooting nights to start the Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, the 24-year-old forward found his stride. 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 and regain homecourt advantage. He had similar moments in the Western Conference semifinals against Denver and the conference Finals against Minnesota. Williams said he doesn't 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. 'I work really hard on my game,' he said. 'So there won't be a game where I don't shoot well and it affects my confidence to not shoot those shots my teammates need me to shoot. That's the confidence I have going into it, and wherever the shots fall, they fall.' 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. 'Being now at this stage, I just think that we've had those games under our belts where the guys have come through when we haven't done things well, and we'll be able to correct it," Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said. "I think that experience is there.' Williams has no issue with correcting things, either. 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. In the conference finals, he had 13 points on 3-for-9 shooting in a 143-101 loss to Minnesota. He responded with 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting in the next game, a 128-126 win. The pattern has continued in the Finals. In the first two games, he shot a combined 11 for 33. The next two, he shot 17 for 26 and averaged 26.5 points per game. Williams changed the trajectory of Game 4, and perhaps the series, with his performance. The next step in his development is to maintain that high shooting level. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault believes anything is possible with Williams. 'I thought in Game 3, his first stint was one of his worst stints of the series,' Daigneault said. 'He catches his breath and reflects on that. He had a much better stint later in that game and then came out and was really big time for us in Game 4, not only his creation but just some of the simple plays he made to put his teammates in advantages.' ___ AP NBA: recommended
San Francisco Chronicle
16 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Jalen Williams' resilience helps Thunder gain solid position heading into Game 5 vs. Pacers
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Williams keeps bouncing back. The Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star has suffered through poor shooting stretches in each of the past three playoff series. And each time, he's recovered to help the Thunder win critical games. After two rough shooting nights to start the Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, the 24-year-old forward found his stride. 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 and regain homecourt advantage. He had similar moments in the Western Conference semifinals against Denver and the conference Finals against Minnesota. Williams said he doesn't 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. 'I work really hard on my game,' he said. 'So there won't be a game where I don't shoot well and it affects my confidence to not shoot those shots my teammates need me to shoot. That's the confidence I have going into it, and wherever the shots fall, they fall.' 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. 'Being now at this stage, I just think that we've had those games under our belts where the guys have come through when we haven't done things well, and we'll be able to correct it," Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said. "I think that experience is there.' Williams has no issue with correcting things, either. 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. In the conference finals, he had 13 points on 3-for-9 shooting in a 143-101 loss to Minnesota. He responded with 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting in the next game, a 128-126 win. The pattern has continued in the Finals. In the first two games, he shot a combined 11 for 33. The next two, he shot 17 for 26 and averaged 26.5 points per game. Williams changed the trajectory of Game 4, and perhaps the series, with his performance. The next step in his development is to maintain that high shooting level. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault believes anything is possible with Williams. 'I thought in Game 3, his first stint was one of his worst stints of the series,' Daigneault said. 'He catches his breath and reflects on that. He had a much better stint later in that game and then came out and was really big time for us in Game 4, not only his creation but just some of the simple plays he made to put his teammates in advantages.'
Winnipeg Free Press
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jalen Williams' resilience helps Thunder gain solid position heading into Game 5 vs. Pacers
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Williams keeps bouncing back. The Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star has suffered through poor shooting stretches in each of the past three playoff series. And each time, he's recovered to help the Thunder win critical games. After two rough shooting nights to start the Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, the 24-year-old forward found his stride. 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 and regain homecourt advantage. He had similar moments in the Western Conference semifinals against Denver and the conference Finals against Minnesota. Williams said he doesn't 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. 'I work really hard on my game,' he said. 'So there won't be a game where I don't shoot well and it affects my confidence to not shoot those shots my teammates need me to shoot. That's the confidence I have going into it, and wherever the shots fall, they fall.' 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. 'Being now at this stage, I just think that we've had those games under our belts where the guys have come through when we haven't done things well, and we'll be able to correct it,' Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said. 'I think that experience is there.' Williams has no issue with correcting things, either. 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. In the conference finals, he had 13 points on 3-for-9 shooting in a 143-101 loss to Minnesota. He responded with 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting in the next game, a 128-126 win. The pattern has continued in the Finals. In the first two games, he shot a combined 11 for 33. The next two, he shot 17 for 26 and averaged 26.5 points per game. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Williams changed the trajectory of Game 4, and perhaps the series, with his performance. The next step in his development is to maintain that high shooting level. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault believes anything is possible with Williams. 'I thought in Game 3, his first stint was one of his worst stints of the series,' Daigneault said. 'He catches his breath and reflects on that. He had a much better stint later in that game and then came out and was really big time for us in Game 4, not only his creation but just some of the simple plays he made to put his teammates in advantages.' ___ AP NBA:
Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
On short rest, hosts OKC Thunder out to grab Game 1 against fresh Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drives against Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun during the second half of the Western Conference semi-finals. PHOTO: EPA-EFE On short rest, hosts OKC Thunder out to grab Game 1 against fresh Minnesota Timberwolves OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder had plenty of time off ahead of their first two NBA play-off series. Now, in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it will be the Thunder who come into the series on short rest while their opponents have had much more time to recover. The series begins in Oklahoma City on May 20 (May 21, Singapore time). The Thunder are coming off a 125-93 win over the visiting Denver Nuggets on May 18 in Game 7 of their second-round series. The Timberwolves have not played in six days after closing out the Golden State Warriors in five games. Oklahoma City had one week between games before their first-round series against Memphis and then nine days between games before the series against the Nuggets. Minnesota had a six-day layoff before each of their first two series, against the Los Angeles Lakers and then Golden State. The Timberwolves won each series in five games. The Timberwolves are in the conference Finals for the second consecutive season and the third time in their history. But Minnesota have never advanced to the NBA Finals. Oklahoma City are in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016 and looking for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. The series features two of the NBA's top defences, both during the regular season and in the play-offs. The Thunder boast a 101.6 defensive rating – points allowed per 100 possessions – in 11 play-off games, best this post-season. Minnesota's 106.8 defensive rating is second. It also features two of the league's top young stars in Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29.0 points, 6.4 assists and 5.9 rebounds this post-season, while Edwards is averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Gilgeous-Alexander, the front-runner for Most Valuable Player honours, is looking forward to the matchup against cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker of Minnesota. The two players were born less than two months apart in Toronto and both attended Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn. 'It'll be very fun,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'It's hard to even explain. If you know how close we are, he's literally like my second brother. He's been through every stage of life with me – picking up a basketball to going to prep school to making the NBA, we've gone through every situation together. For both of us to be where we are is special, to compete against each other even more special. 'But I am trying to take his head off for sure.' In a 2023 play-in game, Alexander-Walker helped hold his cousin to a five-of-19 shooting night. Alexander-Walker said Gilgeous-Alexander's consistency has lifted him to a different echelon. 'That comes from diligence, hard work, seeing it first hand and discipline that truthfully I haven't seen in anybody else,' Alexander-Walker said. 'I have not seen discipline like his. So I think that's the main reason why people think he's made a jump when really he's just been able to be consistently that, because he's been so disciplined in his approach.' The teams split their four-game season series and split their two games in Oklahoma City. Minnesota's Rudy Gobert played in just one of those games – a New Year's Eve loss – while Chet Holmgren appeared in two of the games for the Thunder. In that regard, it is difficult to predict this series based on their previous games alone. 'Apples to apples, I don't know if those games are the perfect framework through which to look at the series,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. 'It'll be different.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
