Kenrich Williams is Stepping Up Amidst Thunder Injuries

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been hit hard by the injury bug in this mid-season stretch; they have been missing key players Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, and more.

Kenrich Williams has been a core piece for the Thunder in this stretch, providing consistent shot-making, rebounding, and the ability to be an all-around good role player.

Impressive Scoring Keeping Bench Unit Together

“Kenny Hustle” has been considered a pure scorer, but lately, he has shown new layers to his game.

Over his past 10 games, Williams is averaging a career-high 8.4 points per game, shooting over 50% from the field with a 61% true shooting percentage. During this stretch, he has three of his 23 career 15+ point games.

Williams possesses a surprising ability to create midrange shots. He shoots a staggering 65% from the mid-range this season, placing himself in the 95th percentile. 

Although these are not eye-popping stats, he has provided much-needed bench scoring in Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell’s absence.

Small-Ball 5 Capabilities

Because of his tremendous strength and solid positioning, the Thunder can run a small-ball lineup with Williams at center.

Per Cleaning the Glass, in 191 possessions, OKC has a +17.9 point differential in lineups with Kenrich Williams at center. His defensive prowess, great box-out ability, and pick-and-pop skills make him a prominent small-ball center.

Does This Stretch Change His Potential Playoff Minutes?

Williams saw inconsistent playoff minutes last season, playing only 16 games and averaging 8.3 minutes per game. In this recent stretch, he’s averaging 19.3 minutes and has shown he can play extended time. 

In certain matchups, like against the San Antonio Spurs, Williams can prove to be an extremely useful player. He uses his strong base and relentless effort to force lengthy centers or forwards out of the paint and to take poor mid-range shots.

Kenrich Williams has played a significant role in the Thunder’s January games and has proven he can take on a more substantial role if needed.