The Otago Nuggets forward had a hand in his face from Auckland Tuatara defender Taki Fahrensohn.
The shot clock was running low, though, and Williams had no choice but to make something happen.
And, while it was tough, on this night, that shot was always going down.
It gave the Nuggets a six-point lead with 17 seconds to go in Saturday night’s National Basketball League final.
Moments later, the Nuggets were celebrating victory and Williams was being named the final’s Most Valuable Player on the back of a 34-point night.
"I was locked in," Williams said of the last shot.
"I needed that more than anything. I hate to lose. I win wherever I go.
"I can’t even explain how happy I am right now."
Williams had started hot, scoring 10 points early and generating the majority of the Nuggets offence.
He went quiet as the team lost control and fell behind in the second quarter.
But he rediscovered his aggression after halftime, taking the ball to the hoop, both finishing and getting to the foul line.
"The main thing for me with this team is the guys are always telling me to stay aggressive.
"Of course I went quiet for a little bit, but we have a great team, so I’m not worried.
"I just know my time is going to come.
"I just know I’ve got to continue to play hard and the rest will take care of itself."
Williams, who was in his first professional season, is now set to head back the United States, where he will play in the NBA G League.
He was glad to have left Dunedin on a high.
"Tonight was a game I knew we had to win.
"I just knew I had to go and leave it all out there for these guys. We had a long year, we had to grind it out.
"We spent too much time together. It would’ve hurt me to leave here on a bad note.
"So I’m just so glad we pulled out with a win."
