In their first meeting of the season against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder will face off in the NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas. The Thunder and Bucks’ unofficial 83rd game of the 2024-25 season was supposed to be a contest between the two hottest teams in their respective conferences. During Williams’ media availability, a reporter asked about Antetokounmpo’s defense.

Entering Tuesday night’s matchup, Giannis has scored 28-plus points in three straight games for the Bucks, including a 37-point performance against the Magic. However, Williams will need more than one defender to limit Antetokounmpo in the NBA Cup Finals, and he’s not the only elite scorer Oklahoma City needs to prepare for.

“When you’re protecting really good players, it’s not just about one person protecting someone, it’s about the team effort. And that goes for everyone,” Williams said. “Obviously he’s an extremely good player and kind of an individual player. So we will have a good game plan. Coaches always do a good job of getting us to the right place. But it depends on how well we as a team manage to keep such people at bay.

“Of course they also have Damian Lillard. “So it will be very important for us as a team to find different ways to slow them down,” concluded Williams.

In the 2023-24 season, the Thunder and Bucks tied their season series at 1-1. After the Bucks defeated the Thunder 118-93 on March 24, extending their winning streak to six in a row, the Thunder won their rematch 125-117 on April 12.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP take on Giannis Antetokounmpo

Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won’t change his approach to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. He doesn’t believe in changing the way he attacks or defends depending on who he’s facing each night. At the same time, Gilgeous-Alexander, much like Thunder forward Jalen Williams, understands the importance of competing against one of the NBA’s best players and knows what’s at stake.

Still, it won’t change Gilgeous-Alexander’s mind Approach.

“I don’t differentiate games based on who I’m playing against. When we play the worst team, the best team in the league, I try to take their heads off,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I try to be the best version of myself every night I step on the floor.”

An additional bonus of $500,000 is a significant bonus for most players. Add to that the competitive spirit and the opportunity to send a message to the rest of the league, and Tuesday’s NBA Cup Finals won’t disappoint.