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Jalen Williams · It would have been an understatement to call the Oklahoma City Thunder’s early fourth quarter stretch “crucial,” given the status of its nearly-erased 21-point halftime lead, and its Most Valuable Player candidate on the sidelines resting. For Jalen Williams, it was all the drama one needed to illustrate why he was a soon-to-be-named first-time All-Star. Sparked, perhaps by both the Orlando Magic’s physicality and his head coach’s post-timeout message, Williams ups his ambition, escaping Cory Joseph’s defensive resistance with a blur-quick between-the-leg dribble, followed by a dazzling spin and off-hand finish through heavy traffic. Officially in a zone, and ready to try his hand at a bucket on three straight possessions, Williams springs himself free after a teammate’s ghost screen, bouldering downhill for a passionate one-handed flush. In what became as memorable an 11-point performance as one could produce, Williams, noticeably fired-up throughout, complemented the late-game mini-takeover with seven assists and a 3-pointer as Oklahoma City survived Orlando’s comeback attempt on December 19, 2024. · State of Mint