Sometimes, NBA playoff series bring the best out of role players. It's all matchup-dependent. Against the Nuggets, Williams has been a perfect backup center who ensures the Thunder will have at least one center on the floor at all times while their three-headed monster alternates.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made Oklahoma City Thunder playoff history in Tuesday's Game 5 matchup against the Denver Nuggets.

Get the best Thunder vs. Nuggets predictions ahead of Thursday's critical Game 6 showdown. Free NBA picks for May 15.

Oklahoma City was on the rails Sunday afternoon. Trailing late in the third quarter, the game was in serious doubt, and the season itself was teetering. The Thu

According to Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, these are the growing pains the second-youngest first seed has to go through to have playoff success. The title favorite now faces a 2-1 series deficit and must split with Denver to avoid a dreaded 3-1 hole.