Jaylen Williams’ revealing view of OKC ’emulating’ the Warriors’ dynasty

After beating Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors 124-112 on Tuesday, Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Jalen Williams reflected on the surreality of facing a team he watched win championships as the NBA’s newest dynasty. For Williams, it’s wild to think he and the defending champion Thunder are on a similar path with a team he watched win back-to-back in his prime.

Now the Warriors, a team that won four championships in seven seasons, are in their twilight years. Led by All-Star Stephen Curry, who sat out with a quad injury, and Draymond Green, the 11-11 Warriors suffered just their third home loss of the season. At the same time, the Thunder extended its winning streak to 13.

After the win, Williams discussed how it felt to face the 2025 Warriors.

“The only thing that’s crazy to me is you grow up watching those teams. Then, years later, you look back, I look at them when we were stuck in Santa Cruz because of Covid, and my whole college career, you just watch them, and now, we’re kind of emulating something that they did. So it’s really cool. It was cool then, and it was playing. you never take it for granted.

“Obviously, Dray and Curry — they’re not going to play much longer. So it’s great to get these opportunities to play them. It’s very surreal.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 38 points on 13-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-6 from deep and 7-for-10 from the free throw line. Jaylen Williams added 22 points, six assists, one steal and one block.

Steve Kerr praised the Thunder for their impressive record

Before facing the defending champions, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised the historic start of the Thunder, who improved to 21-1. Thunder won a tough game after blowing a 22-point lead in the second half, fending off the Warriors in the fourth quarter.

Before tip-off, Kerr spoke what stands out the most on Thunder, according to Clement Almansa of Thunder Wire.

“Overall, team mentality with no plans. Just win every night. Obviously, big talent,” Kerr said. “But I think they’re high IQ players. The two teams I’ve been a part of have had really, really high IQs individually and as a team.”

The Thunder will host the Mavericks on Friday.