Jalen Williams reveals Thunder GM Sam Presti’s stern message to defending champions

While Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder await their first-round opponent, the defending champions aren’t entering the postseason with the same mindset as last season, which Thunder GM Sam Presti reiterated. From a personal and team standpoint, Williams reminded reporters of how different the 2025-26 campaign was. He also reminded everyone of how thin the margin of error was throughout Oklahoma City’s 2025 title run.

Williams, while quoting Thunder GM Sam Presti, reflected on last year’s championship journey, reminding reporters of the ups and downs baked in.

“Sam made a really good point, and it was just like, you can play the Finals back, last year, 6 million times, and there’s a lot of times we don’t win it,” Williams said. “You can play a series back 6 million times, and you don’t win it. In Memphis, somebody can get hurt. You just never know. I know Indiana feels the exact same way, too. There are a million scenarios they probably replay and feel they should’ve won.

“So, that’s our biggest motivator. We can’t go back in time and replicate any of that. And that’s what makes this really special for us.”

Defending their first championship, Williams and the Thunder have taken a new approach that has helped develop the team they are today.

“This playoff run is so unique and so different from the last one, and we have to have the humility to understand that,” Williams added. “Every series is going to be different. Every game is going to be different. That’s how we’re going to go in and attack these games.”

The winner of Wednesday’s Play-In Tournament matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers will face the Suns on Friday, which will determine the Thunder’s first-round opponent.

Jalen Williams on his Thunder point of view amidst injuries

Thunder GM Sam Presti watched forward Jalen Williams miss 49 regular-season games in 2025-26. However, he found his stride toward the end. The Thunder’s 64-18 record topped the Western Conference standings, where the defending champion spent most of the regular season. It also won 22 of 24 games before head coach Mark Daigneault rested nearly half of his roster ahead of the final two games.

With the No. 1 seed clinched, Williams and the Thunder are utilizing the allotted time that comes with topping the Western Conference ahead of the Play-In Tournament.

“The commitment for guys to get better, having to sit back and watch, you get to see the slower, and smaller little bits of progression that everybody makes throughout the year. I think that’s really cool,” Williams said. “You can get lost in it when you’re playing.”

Williams finished the regular season averaging 17.1 points on 48.4% shooting, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.

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