Jalen Williams’ health, perimeter shooting consistency, and a shifting backcourt rotation will decide if Oklahoma City secures a Finals berth.
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals is scheduled for either May 18 or May 20 depending on whether the Spurs Timberwolves series goes the distance. Oklahoma City swept Phoenix and Los Angeles, so the champs will enter the Conference Finals with a significant rest advantage.
It will not be an easy series regardless of the opponent. Here are three key questions for Oklahoma City entering the Conference Finals.
Will Jalen Williams Stay Healthy?
Jalen Williams missed the first 19 games of the season because he was still recovering from offseason wrist surgery. Two months later, Williams sustained a hamstring strain that caused him to miss 10 games. He only managed two contests before suffering another strain in the same hamstring, which kept him out for another 16 games.
The former All-Star finally looked healthy and in top form during the first round against Phoenix, yet tragedy struck again. Williams strained his hamstring in his other leg during Game 2 on April 22. He has been sidelined since the injury, although Williams likely could have returned against Los Angeles if he needed to given that it was reportedly a minor, week-to-week injury.
Will he be able to stay healthy throughout the Western Conference Finals and potentially the NBA Finals? And if so, how quickly can Williams shake off the rust? Oklahoma City desperately needs his defense, scoring and playmaking against either San Antonio or Minnesota.
Will the Thunder’s Defensive Aces Remain Efficient?
Luguentz Dort, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso are crucial cogs in the Thunder’s defense because they hound opposing stars, wall off driving lanes and generate turnovers. However, their offensive value is largely dependent on them sinking triples at a respectable rate, so Oklahoma City’s offense can struggle when they run cold.
They all struggled mightily with three-point efficiency during the regular season, but Dort (37.5%), Wallace (46.2%) and Caruso (38.2%) have each been on hot streaks so far this postseason. Can the trio avoid regression and maintain these percentages? It’s especially crucial if the Spurs reach the Western Conference Finals because Victor Wembanyama is the best interior defender in the NBA.
Has Jared McCain Passed Isaiah Joe in the Rotation?
Jared McCain only logged 21 minutes during the first round because Isaiah Joe was the preferred sharpshooter for head coach Mark Daigneault. This dynamic flipped against the Lakers, as McCain received 59 minutes compared to 45 minutes for Joe.
Both players will see meaningful minutes moving forward, but is McCain firmly above Joe in the rotation now? If the trade deadline acquisition continues to shoot 63.2% from beyond the arc, then it’s difficult to envision Daigneault turning away from him. Joe’s fouls have also been an issue.