How Does OKC Deal With A (Rare) Loss? Jalen Williams Explains

The Oklahoma City Thunder are so dominant this season that a single loss becomes a prominent news item. For a team that has become accustomed to winning, how does the taste of defeat affect their psyche?

After the San Antonio Spurs dealt the OKC Thunder their second loss in Emirates NBA Cup action, Jalen Williams talked about the Thunder’s mindset when it comes to this rare occurrence.

“I think an average team would probably be like, ‘Oh, it’s the Cup. Whatever. We lost one. We’re 24–2.’ We can go home and just hang our hat on that, or we can look at it as a way to get better,” Williams told reporters.

For a 24-year-old competitor like J-Dub, this is a remarkably mature statement that encapsulates the laser-sharp focus of the defending champions. Williams also made it clear that his squad knew exactly who they’d dealt with that night. “We played against a playoff team,” he added. “That is how we will look at it from a competitive standpoint.”

Despite the fact that the Thunder had won 16 consecutive games prior to the Saturday night matchup, the loss to the Spurs gives them a chance to revisit their areas for improvement. In this semifinal contest, OKC shot just 24.3% from beyond the arc, which gives the rest of the league an idea when it comes to exploiting potential weaknesses.

Meanwhile, the Thunder allowed four San Antonio players to score a minimum of 22 points on at least 46.0% field goal shooting. In the backcourt, the vaunted trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell wreaked havoc, while Victor Wembanyama, who made his return after dealing with a calf strain, came off the bench with high-octane offense.

OKC will now have to regain its bearings as it prepares for five Western Conference matchups over the next two weeks. Two of these games will be against the Spurs, with one contest taking place on national television as part of the NBA’s Christmas Day slate.

Williams and his teammates have had plenty of reason to be jolly this year, as they followed up a title run with a magnificent 24–2 start. It’s clear, though, that the experience of losing continues to fuel their young but forward-thinking squad.