LAS VEGAS — The atmosphere was electric as Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final. Hopes were high for the young Thunder team, aiming to secure their first significant title. Despite their efforts, the Bucks emerged victorious, defeating Oklahoma City 97-81 on Tuesday night.
During the matchup, Williams, the rising star of the Thunder and the team's primary second option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finished the game with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks. While these numbers showcased Williams’ capability to contribute defensively and offensively, the team struggled to find their rhythm, particularly as the game progressed.
"How well we execute as a team will always dictate the game," Williams preemptively stated on the importance of teamwork, especially when facing elite talents like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had been on fire this season. The Thunder, who had high aspirations of clinching the Cup, fell short, crippled by a dismal performance where they managed only 14 points during the third quarter and 17 points in the final period.
Despite their efforts, Williams noted, "Whenever you’re guarding really good players, it’s not just about one person guarding somebody; it’s about team effort. Giannis is obviously extremely good and kind of one-of-one, but we had to plan for him well." This collective mindset was aimed at mandatorily slowing down not only Antetokounmpo but also other key Milwaukee players, including the newly acquired Damian Lillard.
Williams started strong, scoring four points and blocking two shots during the first quarter, managing to limit Antetokounmpo to just six points initially, courtesy of the Thunder's defensive strategy. The young forward managed to gather momentum, adding seven points during the second quarter to keep pace as the game tightened — the Bucks leading by just one point at halftime.
Going cold from the three-point arc, with only one successful shot out of 17 attempts, played significantly against the Thunder's chances. Focusing largely on their defense, they still found themselves grappling as the Bucks adjusted their game plan.
Things took a sharp turn after halftime, with Williams and the Thunder struggling to score as Milwaukee's suffocative defense took hold. The Thunder star managed only three points shortly after the break, as the game slipped away from them.
The Bucks, with Antetokounmpo delivering a triple-double with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, completely dominated the floor during this stretch. For Oklahoma City, containing Antetokounmpo without significant contributions from their top players became impossible as fatigue settled during the latter quarters.
After the game, Williams acknowledged the disappointment, noting, "This loss doesn’t define who we are. It’s just one game out of our overall season, but representing this team at such levels is still important to us." The young core of the Thunder is seen as the future of the franchise, and even though the Cup slipped through their fingers, gaining experience against elite competition is invaluable.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, during pre-game comments, expressed confidence in Williams’ ability to rise to the occasion, saying, "It would be stupid for me to give him a ceiling. I think he can go as far as he wants to, as far as he takes it." This sentiment reflects the belief within the Thunder organization about Williams' potential, recognizing his evolution as one of the NBA's premier players.
Throughout this season so far, Williams has made significant strides, showing impressive averages of 21.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. His offensive growth coupled with improvements on the defensive end has established him as one of the primary contributors for the Thunder this season. The competition against the Bucks proved tough, but Williams' spirit and determination were evident.
While the loss showed gaps the young Thunder need to address, it should also not overshadow the progress they've made as they push through this season. Williams, with his competitive nature and high rebounding rates — now averaging 6.1 rebounds per game — remains focused on continuing to develop and contribute as the Thunder regroup for the upcoming regular season schedule.
Following the Cup final, Oklahoma City has little time to dwell on the defeat. The team’s schedule includes back-to-back games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat later this week, where Williams will have the opportunity to bounce back and reclaim his rhythm on the court with another strong performance.
Though Tuesday night ended with disappointment, it served as just one chapter within what promises to be an exciting and challenging season for Williams and the Thunder. Embodying resilience against one of the league's strongest teams, they will look to bounce back as they pursue greater achievements.
