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Jalen Williams · Thriving in his once-unlikely role as Oklahoma City’s around-the-rim anchor, Jalen Williams coordinated a game-altering 16-0 run that confirmed one thing: the Pelicans’ victory hopes on November 13, 2024 may have been out of reach, but their shot attempts certainly weren’t. Literally everything and everywhere throughout the Thunder’s third quarter takeover, Williams monitors the whereabouts of Javonte Green’s seemingly-well-timed slip screen from afar, rotating over to meet his verticality with an assertive swat. Appalled to learn that the lesson wasn’t learned the first time, Oklahoma City’s third-year forward maintains high alert, elevating once more to give Green déjà vu through a humbling second swat. Excellent enough to earn an unprompted endorsement by the Oklahoma City Thunder’s head coach afterwards, Williams’ dazzling display oversaw 31 points (on 10-of-18), six rebounds, seven assists, four steals, two blocks, and four 3-pointers. Riding said wave, Oklahoma City offered the New Orleans Pelicans a similar result to last spring’s postseason, as they moved to 10-2, the franchise’s best start since its Finals-bound journey in 2011-12. · State of Mint