The Oklahoma City Thunder needed a spark against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday with guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out with injury.
In hindsight, it seems obvious that a spark would have come from forward Kenrich Williams. That tends to be where it has come from all season.
Williams scored a season-high 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting and made three 3-pointers in the 104-87 win over the Rockets. This was the first time all season he has made multiple 3-pointers, and this is tied for the second-best scoring performance of his career.
The last time he scored 19 was almost two years ago to this date, a Feb. 8, 2019 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in his rookie year. His career high of 21 came about a week before that, on Jan. 30, 2019.
So, when the Thunder needed someone to take the load, Williams was ready over his 23 minutes of play.
“That’s pretty much the way it is in the league,” he said. “You gotta be ready whenever your number’s called. That’s pretty much what I try to do. It’s been like that since I started playing.”
While Williams scored more than usual, head coach Mark Daigneault said he was playing the same way as normal.
“He was really good obviously, but no different effort and energy,” Daigneault said. “That’s just something that he brings to the team every single day.”
In addition to the 19 points, Williams had six rebounds — two on the offensive glass — and a pair of assists. He attempted four free throws, which is also a season-high.
Even when the Thunder built a lead, forward Isaiah Roby noticed that Williams’ demeanor hadn’t changed.
“He’s got 19 and we’re up big and he’s still getting on guys — that’s not something that he’s just doing because he’s having a good game. That’s him every day,” Roby said.
“That’s something that every team needs. It’s invaluable to a team. So we love having K-Rich around.”
