OKC Thunder: Jalen Williams Holds Onto No. 3 Spot on NBA Rookie Ladder
After putting up one of his best performances to date on basketball’s biggest stage this season, Jalen Williams has hung onto the No. 3 spot on the official NBA rookie ladder.
After scoring 25 points and tacking on a measly six steals versus new all-time leading scorer LeBron James and the Lakers on Tuesday night, Williams is starting to turn some heads in the NBA.
One of which just happens to make the official NBA rookie ladder weekly.
NBA.com writer Steve Aschburner wrote: “As big a night as it was Tuesday for LeBron James, it was bigger for OKC’s Williamses, with Jalen, Jaylin and Kenrich all starting and cumulatively outscoring the NBA’s all-time points man 42-38. Our rung holder here had eight points to James’ and Anthony Davis’ combined four in the fourth quarter of the Thunder victory and finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals in probably the most-watched game of his life.”
It’s now the second week Williams has sat at third on the ladder, first making his appearance with added production due to Oklahoma City defensive stalwart Lu Dort’s injury.
Drafted at No. 12 overall, Williams has far exceeded any and all expectations set for him prior to the season. On the season, he's now averaging 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Williams and OKC are back in action at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 with a matchup against the Trail Blazers in Portland.
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