Terrence Williams Nets Triple-Double in NBA D-League Debut

Earlier this week, the New Jersey Nets assigned Terrence Williams to their NBA D-League affiliate Springfield Armor in what was supposed to be a bit of a wake-up call after the second-year pro was recently suspended due to "repeated violations of team rules."

There's no indication that the D-League assignment is going to make him show up to Nets practices earlier, but he showed in his D-League debut that he's certainly going to take it serious and show that he deserves to be active with New Jersey's roster.

In just under 40 minutes of action, Williams posted the first triple-double of the D-League season, scoring 16 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and and dishing 13 assists while throwing in a steal and a block for good measure.

More importantly for the Armor, however, is that Williams was able to contribute all of that in a win over the rival Maine Red Claws. Williams scored on a driving layup over the Red Claws Tiny Gallon with 2:31 to go in the game, breaking a 99-99 tie and putting the Armor up for good on their way to the 116-112 victory.

"When you got guys of that caliber from the NBA, they know how to make plays," Armor head coach Dee Brown told The Springfield Republican after the game. "The old saying is to get the ball to your two best players and everybody just play off them and that's what we did."

Previously: Nets All Wrong on D-League 'Demotion' | Bad for League

Former Villanova star Scottie Reynolds led the Armor with a game-high 26 points, former Chicago Bulls draft pick JamesOn Curry chipped in 18 and Craig Brackins, on assignment from the Philadelphia 76ers, added 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench to complement Williams' all-around numbers. Former Atlanta Hawks guard Mario West paced the Red Claws with 21 points and seven rebounds in a losing effort.

"You don't realize how much experience you get playing 82 games in the NBA, it's like a lifetime," Williams said. "I just tried to take what I learned and help put them in the right position."

Williams was able to put his teammates in a great position the whole first half, tallying his tenth assist with 3:24 left in the first half while seemingly making an effort to be more of a distributor than a scorer. That may have been for good reason, though, as the talented guard made just five of his 19 field goal attempts while being defended by West and former Syracuse standout Paul Harris.

In attendance to watch Williams' D-League debut were Nets' General Manager Billy King, Boston Celtics' General Manager Danny Ainge and Philadelphia 76ers President Rod Thorn.

Williams' next D-League game is slated for Saturday night as the Armor will host the visiting Fort Wayne Mad Ants.