Jalen Williams makes dominant return for Thunder vs Bucks in NBA preseason residence opener

The eagerness was evident among the many followers inside Paycom Heart, and even OKC’s gamers have been itching to start their first preseason residence recreation towards Milwaukee on Wednesday.

However earlier than stepping onto the courtroom for tipoff, Jalen Williams made a cease on the scorer’s desk. He then caught out his hand and went down the road, fist bumping every particular person there.

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It was virtually like Williams wished to reintroduce himself after being restricted to simply 38 video games final season because of a nagging proper capturing wrist harm and strains in each hamstrings. And when the sport lastly started, he reminded everybody else who he’s.

The previous All-NBA and All-Defensive ahead took over through the first quarter. He completed across the rim together with his overpowering energy, dissected defenses together with his passing and tormented opposing dribblers together with his fast palms. Then, he positioned the exclamation level on his assertion begin: an emphatic one-handed fastbreak dunk that left the rim shaking.

So ought to the remainder of the league.

OKC finally emptied its bench within the second half, and Milwaukee erased a 24-point deficit to earn a 128-126 win. However Williams nonetheless racked up 16 factors, six assists, three rebounds and two steals on 8-for-11 capturing from the sphere in simply 18 minutes.

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Subsequent up for OKC (0-2) is a highway recreation towards Atlanta at 6 p.m. CT Monday. It might current the primary take a look at Chet Holmgren (quad contusion), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle soreness) and Jaylin Williams (proper heel soreness), who’ve missed the primary two video games out of precaution. It’s going to even be the primary recreation towards former Thunder guards Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins.

Listed here are two extra takeaways from the loss:

Thunder vs Bucks reside updates: The place to look at OKC-Milwaukee NBA preseason recreation

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Aday Mara nonetheless shined alongside OKC’s stars

Aday Mara was the star of the present throughout OKC’s preseason opener towards New Orleans on Tuesday. The 7-foot-3 heart dominated on each ends, as he recorded 12 factors, 9 rebounds and three blocks on 5-for-5 capturing from the sphere in solely 18 minutes.

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However even when larger and brighter stars got here out Wednesday evening, Mara did not disappear.

If something, his ability units have been highlighted much more alongside the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, who did not play Tuesday for resting functions.

Gilgeous-Alexander knifed his approach into the lane late within the first quarter and sailed a move excessive above the rim. It discovered the palms of Mara, who used his 7-6 wingspan to finish the alley-oop dunk.

That was one in all 5 alley-oop dunks delivered by Mara, who was an not possible goal for his teammates to overlook. And even when he wasn’t slamming the ball, his recreation stood out. He was a continuing presence on the boards, and he additionally deterred drivers together with his prolonged limbs.

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Mara completed with 22 factors, six rebounds, two assists and one block on 10-for-10 capturing from the sphere in 25 minutes. He has made all 15 of his shot makes an attempt this preseason.

And whereas it is just the preseason, Mara has now delivered two straight spectacular performances. Additionally they got here towards two groups that rolled out their regular-season beginning lineups. The identical may be mentioned for fellow rookie Bennett Stirtz, who recorded 20 factors and 5 rebounds on 6-for-11 capturing from the sphere (4 for 7 from deep) in 21 minutes off the bench.

Extra: NBA preseason storylines for OKC Thunder begin with Jalen Williams’ harm return

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander practiced endurance in off-ball position

Gilgeous-Alexander has at all times been a affected person participant. He is greater than prepared to attend for a scoring alternative to current itself when breaking down a defender.

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However Gilgeous-Alexander confirmed a special form of endurance halfway by the second quarter Wednesday. He roamed across the flooring with out the ball, ready for Mitchell to create a search for him.

That second ultimately got here, as Mitchell acquired into the lane and kicked it out to Gilgeous-Alexander, and the two-time reigning MVP cashed in by drilling the 3-pointer. He then held his capturing type, savoring the shot he’d simply sank.

It was definitely worth the wait.

Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 17 factors, 5 assists and two rebounds on 5-for-5 capturing from the sphere (3 for 3 from deep) in 18 minutes. 4 of these makes got here off assists.

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Gilgeous-Alexander will nonetheless be tasked with creating photographs this season, however OKC at the very least has the personnel to let him play an off-ball position at occasions.

Jalen Williams and Mitchell at the moment are wholesome after lacking important time final yr. Then there’s Cason Wallace, Jared McCain, Stirtz and Nikola Topić. That is yet one more wrinkle for opposing defenses to attempt to iron out.

Extra: How opening of OKC Thunder preseason was ‘weirdest factor ever’ with out Lu Dort and Co.

Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a narrative concept for Justin? He may be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Join the Thunder Sports activities Minute e-newsletter to entry extra NBA protection. Assist Justin’s work and that of different Oklahoman journalists by buying a digital subscription at this time at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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