Terrence Williams Sets Franchise Record With 50 Points For D-Fenders in Win

Acquired by the D-Fenders prior to the start of the new year, NBA veteran Terrence Williams was a surprising late addition to D-League competition.

But fast-forward one month later, and the decision to play in the minor league has so far paid dividends for the former Celtics' swingman. Entering Friday, Williams owned averages of 18.9 points (on 41% from the field and 38% from deep), 6.3 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. With an interesting skill-set, Williams is a versatile player who balances his own individual offensive prowess, along with a sound understanding of how/when to get his teammates involved, quite well.

Los Angeles was an intriguing destination for Williams, largely in part due to the already talented existent core in town. Still, after proving he could fill up the stat-sheet and co-exist alongside the likes of Manny Harris and James Southerland, a new window of opportunity has opened wide up for the veteran as of late.

Harris has since been called up the Lakers, allowing Williams to run wild with abandon as the new primary option in the D-Fenders' offense. On Friday night, he took full advantage of the opportunity at hand. Without Harris, Williams has been let loose and is free to dominate by scoring the ball in a bevy of different ways. The 26 year set a franchise-record with 50 points on 18 of 37 from the field (6 of 13 from down town) on his way to leading Los Angeles to a 135-127 win over the Stampede.

The D-Fenders wavered towards the end of the contest, but ultimately held on for the victory. Mike D'Antoni often preaches how important aiming to outscore one's opponent becomes when the other aspects (defense) of a team's efforts fail. There's no doubt D-Fenders' head coach Bob MacKinnon loves to run and gun, while playing a very similar style as well.

It goes without saying that Williams is benefitting from being part of such a system, as it clearly shows.