Men's Hoops
Thunder’s unsung heroes: Williams, Joe step into NBA Finals spotlight
The Thunder’s bench strength proved vital in their playoff run, with Williams and Joe providing crucial defensive stops and timely shooting
When the Oklahoma City Thunder take the court tonight against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, their historic 68-win season will reach its crescendo.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-caliber campaign has dominated headlines, two role players have quietly helped engineer the Thunder’s remarkable run Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe.
Both of them were key players for Arkansas and played at Fort Smith Northside.
Williams, the first player of Vietnamese heritage drafted into the NBA, has evolved into more than just a cultural milestone.
The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 5.9 points and 5.6 rebounds during the regular season, but numbers only tell part of his story.
His defensive versatility and leadership earned him ninth place in the NBA’s Teammate of the Year voting, establishing him as a locker room cornerstone during this championship push.
“Jaylin’s impact goes way beyond the stat sheet,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said after their conference finals victory. “His ability to switch onto guards, protect the rim, and make the right read on offense gives us exactly what we need from that position.”
Joe’s sharpshooting has been equally vital to the Thunder’s success.
The fourth-year guard posted career highs across the board, averaging 10.2 points while shooting 44% from the field.
His ability to space the floor has been crucial, particularly during the playoffs when defenses have focused heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander.
The duo’s journey to the Finals hasn’t been without challenges.
Williams saw his minutes fluctuate during the Western Conference Finals against Minnesota, but his preparation never wavered. Joe, meanwhile, has embraced his role as the team’s spark plug, delivering several crucial performances off the bench during their 12-4 playoff run.
Their complementary skills have given the Thunder the depth necessary to reach their first Finals since 2012.
Williams’ defensive prowess and Joe’s scoring punch represent exactly the kind of roster construction that has made Oklahoma City the championship favorite (-750 at Caesars Sportsbook).
“This team’s strength has always been its depth,” NBA analyst Rachel Nichols noted during the Western Conference Finals. “When you have players like Williams and Joe who can maintain or even raise the team’s level of play off the bench, it creates problems for any opponent.”
As the Thunder prepare to face the Pacers in what promises to be an uptempo series, both players will be crucial to Oklahoma City’s championship aspirations.
Williams’ ability to defend multiple positions will be tested against Indiana’s versatile frontcourt, while Joe’s shooting could prove decisive in stretching the Pacers’ defense.
The Thunder’s road to this moment, paved with 68 regular-season wins and dominant playoff performances, has been years in the making.
Now, with the Larry O’Brien Trophy within reach, Williams and Joe stand ready to prove that championship teams are built not just on star power, but on the strength of their entire roster.
Game 1 tips off tonight at Paycom Center, where a capacity crowd awaits the Thunder’s first Finals appearance in 13 years.
For Williams and Joe, it’s not just a chance to make history – it’s an opportunity to prove that sometimes the biggest moments come from the most unexpected sources.
