{"id":698528,"date":"2026-04-04T22:05:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T22:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/698528\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T22:05:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T22:05:18","slug":"jalen-williams-finding-rhythm-as-thunder-host-jazz-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/698528\/","title":{"rendered":"Jalen Williams finding rhythm as Thunder host Jazz – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

After missing long stretches of the season, Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Jalen Williams is finally settling into a rhythm.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s exactly what the Thunder hoped for from the All-Star guard as the regular season comes to a close.<\/p>\n

Williams and the Thunder host the Utah Jazz on Sunday, as one of the top teams in the Western Conference battles against the team tied for last.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I haven\u2019t played all year. I got pretty fresh legs right now, which will serve me well,\u201d Williams said. \u201cI feel like we only have a certain amount of games left, so I\u2019ll probably go into these playoffs pretty fresh, God willing.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Williams scored just 10 points in Oklahoma City\u2019s 139-96 blowout of the Lakers on Thursday, it might\u2019ve been his most complete game this season, as he finished with nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always kind of tried to play that way, with a high motor,\u201d Williams said. \u201cI feel like that\u2019s when I\u2019m my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though Oklahoma City has the NBA\u2019s best record, they\u2019re still in a tight race with San Antonio for the top spot overall with just five games remaining.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s much different than a year ago when the Thunder had the top seed long wrapped up by the close of the regular season.<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City (61-16) has won four consecutive games and 16 of its last 17.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur biggest thing as a team is we actually do not care if you\u2019re bored watching us, to be completely honest with you,\u201d Williams said after Thursday\u2019s win. \u201cThat goes for me on down. We\u2019re trying to win basketball games at the end of the day, just like everybody else. That\u2019s our superpower. You\u2019re not getting bored with the process. We don\u2019t take wins like this for granted. If you don\u2019t come and bring it, you can lose to anybody in the NBA.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was tested a bit the last time the Thunder and Jazz met, Jan. 7 in Oklahoma City, when Utah took the Thunder to overtime before Oklahoma City escaped with a 129-125 victory.<\/p>\n

The other two matchups between the teams this season \u2014 both in Salt Lake City \u2014 have been blowout victories for the Thunder.<\/p>\n

The Jazz (21-57) come into the game on an eight-game losing streak and have gone 3-19 since the All-Star break.<\/p>\n

While Oklahoma City has returned to health recently \u2014 though Luguentz Dort left Thursday\u2019s win after crashing hard to the floor \u2014 Utah has dealt with a rash of injuries.<\/p>\n

The Jazz\u2019s top three scorers \u2014 Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Jaren Jackson Jr. \u2014 have missed extended time recently, opening the door for more playing time for young players like Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski, and Cody Williams.<\/p>\n

Utah coach Will Hardy said he\u2019s encouraged by the performance of that young trio, especially in the confines of the Jazz\u2019s system.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not opportunity that is based around, like, \u2018Hey man, do your thing,\u2019 \u2026 It\u2019s still within the team construct,\u201d Hardy said. \u201cAnd so, the thought process there is that it can translate (in the future).\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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