Thunder vs. Trail Blazers takeaways: Jalen Williams, OKC starters shine in road finale

They say road trips in the NBA are like a marathon.

But for Chet Holmgren, the Thunder's four-game trip out West was more like a 12-round boxing match.

The rookie came into OKC’s game against Portland on Wednesday with a black eye, which he received while defending Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkic three nights ago. And it didn’t take long for him to add to his collection of battle scars.

Holmgren got scratched on the nose by Kris Murray while driving to the rim early in the first quarter, and this time the wound drew blood. But Holmgren refused to go down for the count.

OKC ultimately ended its road trip with a 128-120 win over Portland, and Holmgren delivered a gutsy performance. The banged-up big man finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds, marking his 18th double-double of the season.

Portland refused to go away, trimming the deficit 123-117 with 1:01 left in the game. But Holmgren helped deliver the knockout punch.

He fed the ball to Jalen Williams, who drilled a 3-pointer with 41.1 seconds left to secure the victory. OKC (43-19) will now begin a four-game home stretch with a battle against Miami at 7 p.m. Friday.

“They kept game pressure on us,” OKC head coach Mark Daigneault said of Portland. “Give them a lot of credit. I thought they really fought tonight. … It was a good test for us. Great execution down the stretch.”

More: OKC Thunder center Bismack Biyombo medically cleared after collapsing vs. Trail Blazers

Lu Dort’s improved shot selection has led to a career year

As Holmgren picked up his dribble early in the first quarter, he surveyed the floor for someone to pass the ball to.

He immediately saw Lu Dort, who drifted out to the corner and was calling for the ball. Holmgren obliged, and Dort knocked down the open 3-pointer.

Dort finished Wednesday with six points on 2-for-3 shooting from deep. The quiet but efficient outing is the latest of many for the fifth-year guard, whose improved shot selection is paying off this season.

Dort is shooting a career-high 40.7% from deep, and he has a team-high 120 made triples to his name.

More: OKC Thunder 'not gonna overreact' to losing season series to LeBron James, Lakers

Jalen Williams thrives when the offense runs through him

OKC didn’t see any dropoff when it began the second quarter without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was getting a breather on the bench.

Instead, it became The Jalen Williams Show.

The second-year forward did it all as he ran OKC’s offense. Williams found Holmgren for a pair of assists. He hit a stepback 3-pointer over the helpless Duop Reath. He blew past Matisse Thybulle for a layup.

Williams erupted for eight points and two assists in the six minutes and 34 seconds that Gilgeous-Alexander rested during the second quarter. Williams finished the night with 31 points, four rebounds and three steals.

Gilgeous-Alexander is undoubtedly the driving force behind an OKC offense that ranked fourth in the NBA in points per game (120.9) entering Wednesday.

Still, Williams continues to prove the Thunder can run the ball through him when needed.

More: How OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can make Kentucky basketball history in MVP race

Gordon Hayward ends his 3-point drought in encouraging outing

Gordon Hayward only attempted one 3-pointer in his first seven games with OKC, and he missed it.

But you wouldn’t have guessed that when watching Wednesday's contest.

OKC held a 90-86 lead with 50 seconds left in the third quarter when Hayward stole the ball and raced down the floor. He then pulled up with confidence and drilled a transition 3-pointer.

That marked the first made triple as a member of OKC for Hayward, who finished with 10 points and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench.

Hayward has gotten off to a quiet start since he got traded by Charlotte on Feb. 8. In addition to missing nearly two months of basketball this season due to a calf injury, the 14-year forward has been tasked with adjusting two a new system.

But Hayward enjoyed his best outing with the Thunder on Wednesday, which is an encouraging sight. His experience could be a game changer for OKC in the postseason.

“He looked a little more comfortable out there,” Daigneault said of Hayward. “We’re still learning how to best optimize him in terms of how to use him and who to put him out there with. I thought tonight he looked like he was in a good groove and rhythm."

More: Why OKC Thunder, Mark Daigneault are not 'trying to chase our shadow' with rebounding

Bismack Biyombo 'fine' after collapsing on sideline

Thunder center Bismack Biyombo collapsed on the bench during the first quarter of a 128-120 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

The 31-year center eventually got up on his own and walked into the tunnel. Biyombo remained out for the entire contest, but OKC head coach Mark Daigneault provided a positive update after the game.

"He's fine," Daigneault said. "He just fainted, basically. But he was in the locker room at halftime, laughing and joking. And he stayed back there, but he's doing fine."

OKC signed Biyombo to a minimum contract on Feb. 10. He has appeared in four games with the team.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder ends road trip with win over Portland Trail Blazers