Prior to the season, even before their undisputed success, the Oklahoma City Thunder were thought to have as many as three All-Star candidates: Shai Gilgeous-Al

OKC's Jalen Williams is likely to make the cut for the NBA All-Star Game next month, but it’s far from a certainty. Maybe 60/40.

Despite his injury and a recent loss, Jalen Williams and the Thunder lead the Western Conference with a 36-8 record. After the Cleveland Cavs lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 132-129 on Friday, the Thunder and Cavs are tied for the best in the NBA with identical records.

The Oklahoma City Thunder blew out the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, 134-114. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points in 29 minutes while Jalen Williams put up 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in 30 minutes.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s MVP candidate, is an All-Star lock. Williams — who is second on the team in points and assists, third in rebounds and is a versatile cog in their top-ranked and historically disruptive defense — is their only other true candidate. That might be Williams’ simplest case.