Stiles Points: Aaron Wiggins Is More Than a Meme, He Truly Saves Games

The Oklahoma City Thunder turned to Aaron Wiggins to flip the game against the Phoenix Suns, and he again proved he is more than a meme.

If you have followed the Thunder in any capacity since Sam Presti selected Aaron Wiggins with the 55th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, you have seen the viral "Aaron Wiggins Saved Basketball" meme. On Sunday, Wiggins proved once again he is more than a funny meme.

Wiggins himself commented on the meme following Sunday's game. 

"It's a fun meme, I guess," the former second-round pick said. "Shoutout everybody who believes I saved basketball."

He likely created a few more believers as he turns yet another game on its head, and helps lead Oklahoma City to a massive road win. 

The OKC Thunder pulled off another double-digit point comeback on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. In a game that started rocky seeing the Thunder get down by 13 almost instantaneously, Oklahoma City eventually called on Aaron Wiggins to save the game. 

In a game that was full of runs, seeing the two sides go on double-digit scoring droughts multiple times, it was the Maryland product that helped the Thunder steady the ship against the Suns.

Wiggins wrapped up with seven points, three rebounds, a block and a jaw-dropping four steals off the bench in 22 minutes of action. Every time the 25-year-old is given the chance, he thrives in his sporadic role. This is something that his fellow Thunder teammates have taken note of.

"It's special. Everybody sees the 'saved basketball' memes but I think it's very hard to come into a game and not really know what's going on and just be able to plug in right away and kind of do everything the team needs," Thunder rising star Jalen Williams said following Sunday's victory over the Suns.

Williams highlights the most impressive thing Wiggins provides: Always matching what the contest calls for. In this game, the Thunder needed a spark defensively and at times could not buy a bucket. The former second-round pick ignites the Thunder on both ends forcing turnovers and gift-wrapping OKC easy buckets. 

So far this season, Wiggins is shooting 66 percent at the rim, 47 percent in the mid-range, 42 percent on corner threes, and an impressive 52 percent on non-corner triples ranking in the 100th percentile. 

The three-level scorer can also sit down defensively and erase possessions. As a pick-and-roll defender, Wiggins only allows 0.78 points per possession, holding matchups in isolation to just 0.75 points per possession, staying attacked to his man only allowing opponents to shoot 35 percent coming off screens. 

The versatility of Wiggins is on full display as he plays the passing lanes with the best of them producing turnovers, while also being able to defend the rim in a pinch only giving up 34 percent at the cup which ranks in the 97th percentile. 

Wiggins has proven to be a high-quality role player in the NBA and should continue to beat down the door for more minutes in Oklahoma City. 

Stiles Points

• Five players for the Thunder last night registered two-plus steals, as OKC forced 21 turnovers on Sunday to negate the Suns' rebounding advantage in a big way. This led to the Thunder winning the fast break points column by ten with 18 of their points coming in transition. 
• Oklahoma City's uncommon maturity was on display again, not only surviving an early scoring drought that saw them get down 13 but handling a 39-9 run to still come away victorious despite shooting just 29 percent from deep. The Thunder dug in, got back to basics on defense, and leaned on the MVP of the NBA. That is a formula that translates to the postseason in a star-driven league. 
• The Thunder earned the top spot in the Western Conference on Sunday moving into sole possession of first place with the win over the Suns. 
• Now, the Thunder have to turn around and take on the Lakers in L.A. on the second night of a back-to-back Monday. This will be a tough task for the Bricktown boys, and a game that might need to feature the depth of this team more to manage the minutes. 
• Mike Muscala was active against the Suns but did not play, his 2023-24 Thunder debut could come against the Lakers to provide some scoring and ease the minute tension on the Thunder regulars in the back-to-back.
• Lu Dort certainly frustrated Kevin Durant on Sunday while chipping in 13 points on the offensive end, continuing to show how vital he is to OKC's success.
• What is the best basketball meme? While Aaron Wiggins saved basketball is objectively funny, "Get Ready to Learn __, Buddy" has slipped its way into my daily lexicon.  

Song of the Day: Save Me San Francisco by Train. 

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