Jalen Williams started the season with the fourth-highest odds for Most Improved Player. While his scoring is up just 0.6 points per game after another 2.6 shots last season, he is recording more offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, assists and steals with a 2.5% increase in usage. His box plus-minus has improved from 2.3 to 4.3, even though the Thunder are performing 12.1 points per 100 possessions better when he is off the floor.

Williams finished with a “Sombor Double” against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, recording 29 points on 11-for-20 (55%) shooting, 10 rebounds (two offensive), nine assists and three steals. Game Score, created by John Hollinger to determine a player’s productivity for a single game, shows that this performance (29.1) was his statistical best of the season. Williams’ previous high was a game rating of 21.7 against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 1.

Defensive playmaking has been a major strength for the Thunder this season as they average a career-high 13.4 steals and 7.3 blocks per game. Williams leads the NBA with 18 total steals and is averaging 2.3 per game, third behind Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. He has recorded multiple steals in six straight games, including four against the San Antonio Spurs and Trail Blazers.

Williams made four of his eight 3-pointers in Denver and is shooting 14-for-26 (53.8%) from deep in his last four games. He scored a pull-up transition triple on a steal by Luguentz Dort, a step-back left corner three over Peyton Watson, a catch-and-shoot top-of-the-key three after the ball swung around the perimeter, and a catch-and-shoot transition triple to bring the Thunder within three points just before the final minute.

Williams’ shooting versatility provides significant benefits to Oklahoma City’s offensive system. He can initiate an attack against defenders who must respect his offside and act as an outlet for teammates driving inside the arc. In the 2023-2024 season, Williams made 43.4% of his 145 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and 42.1% of his 95 pull-up triples. He is shooting 13-for-25 (52%) on catch-and-shoot threes through eight games.

The increased three-point volume – 2.1 more attempts per game – has allowed Williams to score consistently despite his struggles inside the arc. He’s shooting 7.3% worse at the rim, 12.6% worse between 3 and 10 feet, and 16.2% worse between 10 and 16 yards than last season. This early misery shows what can happen with a small sample size. Williams made 56.4% of his 470 2-point attempts against very tight or tight coverage last season, up to 44.4% of 54 attempts this year.

Williams and the Thunder will take on the Houston Rockets tonight at 7:00 PM CST, kicking off a six-game homestand.

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