Thunder star Jalen Williams gives blunt response after their loss to Lakers

The Oklahoma City Thunder have now dropped two games in a row. As a result, fans have started to question whether this level of play could hurt their chances of winning the championship. The team was heavily outplayed by the Los Angeles Lakers in all four quarters. Because of that, the defeat felt even more frustrating. After the loss, Jalen Williams spoke bluntly about why the Thunder struggled.

Following the loss, Williams didn’t hesitate when asked to describe the game, offering a candid and immediate response: “It was physical, to answer your question…That’s how teams come in here and play with us, especially when coming down to the wire. They’re going to measure themselves up against us to get ready, just like we are. So, these games are going to be more and more physical, and I think the officials are trying to let us play more.”

This question came up because the Thunder only made 12 free throws. It is a very low number for a high-physical game like this. However, their recent performances does not sum up their entire season. On the contrary, they currently have the best record in the NBA Western Conference at 35-13. It shows how dominant they have been from the start.

Moreover, they already clinched a playoff spot. It could explain the recent drop in intensity. The team seems to be lowering its physical effort in these games. This may help reduce fatigue and keep everyone fresh for the postseason. However, a bad streak at this point could be dangerous. It can hurt the team’s performance once the playoffs begin. For that reason, they need to recover their best form before the postseason kicks off.

Jalen Williams 8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during their regular season NBA

Are the Oklahoma City Thunder not getting enough foul calls?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the best teams this season. However, they are also among the teams with the fewest free-throw attempts. This is not happening because other teams avoid physical play. In fact, opponents often defend them with intensity and contact. Despite that, officials rarely call those fouls. The lack of calls continues to frustrate the team. As a result, Jalen Williams spoke up after the latest game.

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“He (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) honestly should go to the free-throw line more. He leads the NBA in drives, and we’re like the lowest free-throw shooting team in the NBA. I think there are like six or seven people ahead of him that shoot more free throws. But because the media doesn’t like certain ways he gets fouled, that gets pushed. Just watch the games,” stated Williams.

However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not entirely agree with Jalen Williams’ assessment. Speaking after the game, he made it clear that he did not believe the officiating needed to change, as he did not think he was fouled on the play in question. He also offered a candid critique of the Thunder’s performance, emphasizing that the loss was not about missed foul calls, but rather a lack of defensive execution that ultimately cost them the game.