Paul George played a season-high 50 minutes Friday night as the Thunder knocked off the Utah Jazz 148-147 in double overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
George led the Thunder with 45 points, including the game-winning floater over the outstretched arms of Rudy Gobert with just 1.6 seconds to go in the contest.
To gauge just how confident George is playing these days, just watch him in the previous overtime period. In a crucial portion of the game, with the Thunder trailing by two points, Jerami Grant deflected the ball and Terrance Ferguson kicked it up to a streaking George.
George gathered himself, elevated and winded up for a highlight-reel jam.
The dunk by George was a bit surprising considering how important every point was for the Thunder at that point of the game. Rather than going for the easy layup, George sent a message to the Jazz, instead.
“That was a statement,” George said, via Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman. “That was a statement just to let them know my legs were fresh. It’s going to be a long OT for that opposing team.”
The confidence level for George this season has been at an all-time high since he joined the Thunder. George has said numerous times this season that his comfort level with the team is the reason for his success.
He certainly looked confident during that windmill dunk…
