As we head into the season’s final week, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 64-14 through twenty-four weeks of action. After winning the first two games of the week, the Thunder lost back-to-back games for the second time this season.
Despite dropping back-to-back games in ugly fashion, they hold a 12.5-game lead over the No.2 seed Houston Rockets.
In 2025, the Thunder are No.1 in ORTG (121.5) & DRTG (109), which is a good sign for the Thunder as they head into the playoffs.
Here’s my Week 24 — Thunder Player of the Week:
Thunder Player of the Week
Jalen Williams
Although, the Thunder suffered two losses in week 24 (2-2). Jalen Williams was the most consistent player on both ends throughout the week. Williams averaged 23.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 52 percent from the floor and 45 percent from beyond the arc.
Jalen Williams Taking The Next Step
Although Williams had a tough night against the Lakers, he’s been stepping up against the best in the Western Conference.
Here are Jalen Williams’s stats in his last 10 games against the top 8eight in the West before the Lakers game:
- vs Houston Rockets: 33/3/4/2 on 62% shooting
- vs Memphis Grizzlies: 20/5/4 on 50% shooting
- vs Denver Nuggets: 12/2/6 on 50% shooting
- vs Denver Nuggets: 26/9/8/2 on 50% shooting
- vs Memphis Grizzlies: 20/5/9/2 on 42% shooting
- vs Houston Rockets: 24/4/3/1/1 on 50% shooting
- vs Minnesota Timberwolves: 27/6/6/1/1 on 44% shooting
- vs Minnesota Timberwolves: 18/3/9/3 on 43% shooting
- vs Memphis Grizzlies: 25/6/6/1/1 on 60% shooting
- vs Golden State Warriors: 26/7/2/2/1 on 47% shooting
Williams is averaging 23.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 5 rebounds per game on 54.2% shooting. Add in the fact that he left after 13 minutes in that first Denver game.
Another key factor to note is that Williams, post-All-Star break, is averaging 5.3 free-throw attempts per game and has about a 34% free-throw rate.
Williams is making the leap on one of his most significant offensive weaknesses, utilizing his size and strength to bump defenders off their spots. Seeing him seek contact instead of avoiding it is crucial for his development and Oklahoma City.
Takeaways:
Earlier in the week, the Thunder made more history by having the best record against the opposing conference (29-1) against the Eastern Conference. Despite their recent struggles, including back-to-back ugly losses, Oklahoma City is 20-4 since the All-Star break.
Wins: vs Chicago Bulls (145 to 117) and vs Memphis Grizzlies (119 to 103).
Losses: @ Houston Rockets (111 to 125) and vs Los Angeles Lakers (99 to 126).
End of the Week Updates
With four games left, the Thunder have not only broken their franchise record for most regular-season wins but also have the best record in NBA history against the opposing conference.
Ousmane Dieng has missed the last eleven games with a calf strain and has no return timeline. Jaylin Williams has missed the previous three games with an ankle sprain, which is considered day-to-day.
With the No.1 seed in the Western Conference set in stone and the Thunder holding a two-game lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers, they’ll look to manage their player’s health for the final week of the regular season.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
