{"id":138094,"date":"2025-05-06T15:13:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T19:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=138094"},"modified":"2025-05-06T15:13:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T19:13:55","slug":"jalen-williams-mirrors-prince-while-addressing-thunders-game-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/06\/jalen-williams-mirrors-prince-while-addressing-thunders-game-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Jalen Williams Mirrors Prince While Addressing Thunder\u2019s Game 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>OKLAHOMA &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/thunder\/\" target=\"_self\">Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> opened their second-round series against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/nuggets\/\" target=\"_self\">Denver Nuggets<\/a> with a frustrating loss. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willija06.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Williams<\/a> played hard but missed key opportunities. His 5-of-20 shooting line stood out in a game the Thunder let slip late. Despite his offensive struggles, Williams still contributed in other areas. He posted seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. But those numbers couldn&#8217;t stop the Thunder from dropping Game 1.<\/p>\n<h2>Jalen Williams Mirrors Prince While Addressing Thunder\u2019s Game 1<\/h2>\n<h3>A Collapse in Crunch Time<\/h3>\n<p>The Thunder blew a 14-point second-half lead. Denver came roaring back to steal a 121-119 win on the road. Oklahoma City made costly mistakes in the final stretch. They became the first team in 10 years to lose a playoff game after leading by at least nine in the final few minutes.<\/p>\n<p>The most glaring issue? Rebounding. The Nuggets outrebounded the Thunder by 20, including eight more on the offensive glass. Those second-chance opportunities fueled Denver\u2019s rally and gave them extra possessions that ultimately made the difference.<\/p>\n<p>This wasn\u2019t just a numbers issue\u2014it was an effort issue. That\u2019s where JDub channeled his inner <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/princta02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Taurean Prince.<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Jalen Williams Game 1 Quote Goes Viral<\/h3>\n<p>After the loss, Williams addressed the rebounding woes in a direct and almost comedic way.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBox out, go up with two hands and grab that. Don\u2019t stand and watch. Box out again,\u201d he said, eyes on the ceiling.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jalen Williams explains how to rebound \ud83d\ude05\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/J_-iwkqZJuI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The line instantly brought back memories of Taurean Prince\u2019s now-famous comment from a 2016 NCAA Tournament loss. Back then, Prince explained rebounding in a similar, almost sarcastic tone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou go up. You grab the ball off the rim with two hands. That\u2019s a rebound. They got more than us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Taurean Prince describes how Baylor was out-rebounded by Yale\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/atr60tR7Emo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Prince\u2019s moment became a meme. Williams\u2019 version might do the same. But the message behind the humor was serious. The Thunder didn\u2019t box out. They didn\u2019t grab the ball with authority. And it cost them.<\/p>\n<h3>Jalen Williams&#8217; Unusual Role At the Start of the Season<\/h3>\n<p>Earlier this season, the Thunder already faced a rebounding crisis. Injuries forced head coach Mark Daigneault to get creative. That\u2019s when Williams started logging minutes at center.<\/p>\n<p>At just 6-foot-6, he isn\u2019t a traditional big. But his 7-foot-2 wingspan and elite athleticism made him a sneaky-effective option. While <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holmgch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chet Holmgren,<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harteis01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a>, and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willija07.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylin Williams<\/a> dealt with injuries, JDub held the fort down low.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_138182\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-138182\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-138182\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26101902_168415934_lowres-1024x717.jpg\" alt=\"Jalen williams rebounds in game 1\" width=\"800\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26101902_168415934_lowres-1024x717.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26101902_168415934_lowres-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26101902_168415934_lowres-768x538.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26101902_168415934_lowres-1536x1076.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26101902_168415934_lowres-2048x1435.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-138182\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) loses the ball to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) during the second quarter during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He battled taller opponents and often came out on top. His instincts, timing, and relentless energy helped Oklahoma City avoid falling apart despite a size disadvantage. At one point, the Thunder ranked dead last in opponent rebounds per game. But Williams\u2019 contributions helped them claw their way to 20th by season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n<h3>The Bigger Picture from Game 1<\/h3>\n<p>Oklahoma City entered the playoffs as one of the league\u2019s most improved rebounding teams. Only Denver and one other team ranked higher. That\u2019s what made Game 1\u2019s collapse so puzzling. It wasn\u2019t a talent issue. It was a focus issue.<\/p>\n<p>The Thunder usually lean on a double-big frontcourt featuring Holmgren and Hartenstein. That pairing adds size and rim protection. It also helps Oklahoma City stay competitive on the glass. But in Game 1, they got bullied. They missed box outs, lost key 50\u201350 balls, and looked unprepared.<\/p>\n<p>Head coach Mark Daigneault relied on pressure defense all season. That scheme forced turnovers and helped make up for their rebounding problems. But against the Nuggets, effort\u2014not creativity\u2014must take center stage. There\u2019s no gimmick to stop <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jokicni01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikola Joki\u0107.<\/a>\u00a0The Thunder must match physicality with physicality.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s exactly what Jalen Williams emphasized after Game 1. He didn\u2019t complicate the solution. \u201cBox out, jump, and grab it,\u201d he said. His message was simple. The Thunder lost because they didn\u2019t do the basics. And now they must correct it.<\/p>\n<h3>Adjustments the Thunder Must Make<\/h3>\n<p>The rebounding gap from Game 1 can\u2019t repeat itself. Oklahoma City rank dead last in opponent rebounds this postseason. The Nuggets? Third overall. That gap led to second-chance points and momentum swings that doomed the Thunder\u2019s lead.<\/p>\n<p>Jalen Williams&#8217; Game 1 performance wasn\u2019t about poor shooting alone. Yes, he shot just 5-of-20. But he impacted the game in other ways. He defended, hustled, and stayed active. He finished with seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals. His numbers reflect a player trying to lead by example, even on an off night.<\/p>\n<p>More importantly, Jalen Williams showed leadership in his Game 1 postgame comments. His tone mirrored the famous Prince quote from nearly a decade ago. It was blunt. It was needed. And it spoke volumes about the standards he expects.<\/p>\n<p>Joki\u0107 grabbed 22 rebounds in Game 1. That can\u2019t happen again. Holmgren\u2019s slim frame raised concerns once more. But he\u2019s not alone. The Thunder must use both Holmgren and Hartenstein together to limit Joki\u0107. That frontcourt duo can\u2019t allow him to dominate the paint and create extra possessions.<\/p>\n<p>The Thunder have the size, athleticism, and strategy to fix the rebounding problem. They just need more urgency. Daigneault knows this team plays its best when it\u2019s active and aggressive. That mindset starts with players like Williams.<\/p>\n<p>If Oklahoma City boxes out, crashes the glass, and brings energy, this <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/06\/thunder-adjustments-game-2\/\" target=\"_self\">series will shift.<\/a> Jalen Williams&#8217; Game 1 performance might be remembered not for his shooting struggles\u2014but for the way he responded afterward. That mindset could spark the bounce-back performance they need in Game 2.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><label>Credit: <\/label>\u00a9 Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OKLAHOMA &#8211; Oklahoma City Thunder opened their second-round series against the Denver Nuggets with a frustrating loss. Jalen Williams played hard but missed key opportunities. His 5-of-20 shooting line stood out in a game the Thunder let slip late. Despite his offensive struggles, Williams still contributed in other areas. He posted seven rebounds, four assists, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5018,"featured_media":138184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,22],"tags":[49979,50041,4292,993,4609,4049,49180,72,2604,1383],"class_list":["post-138094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-thunder","tag-2024-25-nba-season","tag-2025-nba-playoffs","tag-chet-holmgren","tag-isaiah-hartenstein","tag-jalen-williams","tag-jaylin-williams","tag-mark-daigneault","tag-nikola-jokic","tag-rebounding","tag-taurean-prince"],"modified_by":"Frederick Okocha","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5018"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138094"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":138160,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138094\/revisions\/138160"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=138094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}