The Oklahoma City Thunder got back in the win column Tuesday night, grinding out a 104-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. It wasn’t always pretty - the shooting woes that plagued them in recent losses to Indiana and Toronto still lingered - but this one was about grit, rebounding, and timely execution. And when you’re trying to steady the ship before a tough stretch of games against legitimate contenders, that kind of win can go a long way.
Once again, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the engine. Even with a cold shooting night (8-of-22 from the field), he found ways to impact the game, finishing with 29 points, six boards, and four assists. That’s been the hallmark of his season - even when the shot isn’t falling, he finds ways to lead.
But the real story of the night was the frontcourt pairing of Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams. With Isaiah Hartenstein still sidelined by a calf strain - and his long-term status with the team uncertain - head coach Mark Daigneault turned to a smaller, more versatile look. And it paid off.
Holmgren and Williams combined for 24 rebounds, helping the Thunder hold their own on the glass in a game where both teams finished with 62 boards. That doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, but it was how and when those rebounds came that mattered. Time and again, they came up with key defensive boards to end possessions or fought for second chances that kept the offense alive.
Holmgren’s continued evolution on the offensive end has been one of the season’s bright spots. Through 42 games, he’s averaging 17.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, while shooting a strong 37.5% from deep. That kind of stretch-big production gives Oklahoma City a ton of flexibility in how they want to attack matchups.
Jaylin Williams, meanwhile, is still working his way back into rhythm after missing 13 games with a heel injury. His offensive numbers haven’t quite caught up yet, but Tuesday night was a step forward.
He earned just his sixth start of the season and played his most minutes since November 11 against Golden State. It was a calculated move by Daigneault, and it worked.
While Williams doesn’t bring the same rim protection Hartenstein does, he offers a different kind of value. He can space the floor just enough to keep defenses honest, and he’s a smart positional defender who knows how to operate within the Thunder’s switch-heavy scheme. Even with his three-point percentage dipping this season, defenders can’t completely ignore him, which opens up driving lanes and passing options for the Thunder’s playmakers.
The numbers back up the eye test, too. According to Databallr, Holmgren and Williams had logged just 139 minutes together prior to Tuesday’s game.
But in those minutes, the Thunder posted a stingy 100.3 defensive rating - a mark that would rank among the league’s elite over a full season. That’s not a fluke.
It’s a sign of a pairing that works.
With Hartenstein’s return still uncertain and a $28 million club option looming this offseason, the Thunder may be looking at a changing landscape in the frontcourt. If Holmgren and Williams can continue to build chemistry and produce on both ends, this could be more than just a stopgap - it might be the foundation of a new-look rotation moving forward.
For now, the Thunder will take the win, the momentum, and the growing confidence in a young frontcourt that’s starting to find its stride.