Though many hardcore Lakers fans knew Johnathan Williams from Summer League and training camp, most NBA fans were introduced to him for the first time late in Monday evening’s thrilling 143-142 OT loss to San Antonio, when Luke Walton turned to the undrafted rookie out of Gonzaga.
Williams, who’d been cut from the training camp roster just days earlier, and then picked right back up on a two-way contract with the South Bay Lakers, checked in during the third quarter and effectively slowed a red hot LaMarcus Aldridge. He was even better in the overtime, and finished with eight points, four boards and three blocks in what was the feel-good story of the night, at least until San Antonio scored the final seven points to steal a game it looked like had been stolen from them.