Oklahoma City Thunder wing Jalen Williams met with reporters ahead of the 2025 NBA Finals and addressed the challenges of preparing for the Indiana Pacers, the upcoming layoff, and the identity of a young Thunder roster now four wins away from a title.
Williams said the team resumed full practices after a few days of rest, explaining, “You don’t want to burn out playing seven [games].” The Thunder held recovery sessions before regrouping for what Williams described as a “real-deal practice,” helping them regain rhythm and conditioning after a week off.
With the Pacers now confirmed as their Finals opponent, Williams said the Thunder have shifted focus to game-specific preparation but emphasized that much of the work remains internal. “A lot of it was just focusing on us,” he said, noting that the timing of Indiana’s Game 6 win over New York allowed for ideal scheduling.
Asked about the Pacers’ style, Williams pointed to their offensive pace as a major concern. “They’re one of the highest-scoring teams in the league,” he said. “You kind of saw it just wear down the Knicks a little bit.”
Despite Indiana’s high-octane attack, Williams believes the Thunder’s defensive versatility can match up. “All tests are fun,” he said. “We get to do it on the biggest stage any of us have ever played on.”
The 24-year-old also acknowledged the similarities between the two rosters, highlighting chemistry as a key factor in both teams’ deep playoff runs. “They are pretty close to us in regards to like how close they are as a team,” he observed. “It’s cool that you’re kind of playing yourself in that kind of regard.”
Williams, who earned All-Star, All-Defensive, and All-NBA honors this season, downplayed individual accolades. “I’m just trying to get better than I was the day before,” he said. “I try to master all those things off the court… and then that allows me to just do what I do on the court.”
Reflecting on a recent tribute from his high school—naming a street after him—Williams called the gesture a “full-circle moment.” He credited his time at Perry High for shaping his basketball foundation and influencing his growth both on and off the court.
As for the emotional significance of the Finals, Williams recounted memories of watching past championship games as a kid. “I remember rushing out of practice… and we would all get on the group sofa and watch,” he said.
The Thunder’s team identity has become a central talking point, both internally and among opponents. Williams cited Alex Caruso’s championship experience and leadership as a steadying force. “That was motivation,” he said of Caruso’s 2020 title ring. “The biggest thing… was how to stay focused through whatever we’re doing and just grow as a team.”
Williams believes the strength of Oklahoma City’s locker room has helped propel them through three playoff rounds. “When everybody’s allowed to be themselves, I think you get the best growth from a team,” he said.
