Jalen Williams reveals the keys to defending Giannis Antetokounmpo in the NBA Cup Finals

In their first meeting this season against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder will meet in the NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas. The Thunder and Bucks’ unofficial 83rd matchup in 2024-25 should be competitive between the two hottest teams from their respective conferences. During Williams’ media availability, a reporter asked about defending Antetokounmpo.

Giannis enters Tuesday night’s matchup scoring 28+ points in three consecutive games for the Bucks, including a 37-point performance against the Magic. But for Williams, limiting Antetokounmpo in the NBA Cup Finals will require more than one defender, and he’s not the only elite scorer Oklahoma City needs to prepare for.

“When you’re guarding really good players, it’s not just one person guarding somebody, it’s a team effort. And that’s with anybody,” Williams said. “Obviously, he’s an extremely good player and a kind of one-of-a-kind. So we have a good game plan in place. Coaches always do a good job of putting us in the right place. But it’s going to come down to how well we as a team execute and keep guys like that at bay.

“Obviously they have Damian Lillard as well. So just trying to find different ways as a team to slow them down is going to be big for us,” Williams concluded.

In 2023–24, the Thunder and Bucks tied their season series 1–1. After the Bucks beat the Thunder 118–93 on March 24 to extend their winning streak to six straight, the Thunder earned their revenge 125–117 on April 12.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP take vs 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 how he attacks or defends based on who he’s facing each night. At the same time, Gilgeous-Alexander, similar to Thunder forward Jalen Williams’ take, understands the magnitude of competing against one of the best players in the NBA and what’s at stake.

Still, that won’t change Gilgeous-Alexander’s approach.

“I don’t discriminate between games on who I’m playing against. If we’re playing against the worst team, the best team in the league, I try to take their head off, Gilgeous-Alexander says. “I try to be the best version of me even every night I step on the floor.”

An extra $500,000 is a significant bonus for most players. Add in the spirit of competition and an opportunity to send a message to the rest of the league, and Tuesday’s NBA Cup Final shouldn’t disappoint.