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OKLAHOMA CITY — After beating the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Sport 7, Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder superior to the Western Convention Finals, the place they’ll face the Minnesota Timberwolves. Williams couldn’t go to sleep earlier than taking part in within the first Sport 7 of his profession, whereas his All-Star teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander couldn’t shake his nerves heading right into a do-or-die matchup.

After the win, Williams revealed he was too excited to go to sleep the night time earlier than Sport 7 on Sunday.

“I didn’t actually fall asleep,” Williams stated. “I used to be simply excited. That’s all I received. I used to be excited to play.”

Gilgeous-Alexander admits he was nervous however did his greatest to make use of these nerves to his benefit, handing over his best sport of the sequence.

“I used to be nervous, to be sincere. Simply realizing what’s on the road. We’ve labored so arduous the entire 82-game season. We’ve all labored so arduous in the summertime, and to know in the event you don’t deliver your A-game, it may well all be over with. All for nothing. However I feel that nervousness motivated me and helped me play right this moment. It helped me give my all on each ends of the ground, and I used it to my benefit.”

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 factors on 12-of-19 makes an attempt, together with 3-of-4 from deep, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. Williams completed with 24 factors on 10-of-17 taking pictures, together with a pair of threes, seven assists, and 5 rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Jalen Williams after Thunder win

Heading into Sport 7, Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had no issues about whether or not his All-Star teammate Jalen Williams would bounce again from poor taking pictures in Sport 6. Gilgeous-Alexander has seen progress in Williams over the previous 12 months.

After Sunday’s win, Gilgeous-Alexander mirrored on Williams’ development amidst his third NBA marketing campaign.

“Dub was an enormous motive for our little stretch of the lead within the second quarter. It gave us momentum,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “His progress as a basketball participant, clearly, we’ve seen all of it 12 months. However his progress mentally has been extra spectacular to me. He wouldn’t have performed the best way he performed right this moment final 12 months, and I do know that 100%. And to see him take that step ahead is a extremely proud second for me.

“Simply realizing what he goes via on a day-to-day foundation, realizing the place he comes from. That’s actually my brother. And to see him get higher in these areas, it’s particular. It’s enjoyable. It makes this entire expertise just a little extra particular,” Gilgeous-Alexander concluded.

On Tuesday, the Thunder will host the Timberwolves in Sport 1 of the Western Convention Finals.