OKC’s Locker Room Rule Has Jalen Williams Ditching Shaq & Charles Barkley On National TV

Jalen Williams picked his team over the NBA legends. The Oklahoma City Thunder have gone on a trip to Cloud 9 after the 3-0 washout against the New Orleans Pelicans. The fairly inexperienced dominated by young blood always stick together even after the final buzzer. And, tonight, their locker room ritual forced the sophomore star to neglect Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley on live TV.

Usually after the game, the OKC bunch appear in front of the camera together even if it was one person talking in the interview. Tonight, after the game, the TNT crew decided to have a chat with Williams after his 21-point outing. However, he asked the TNT interviewer Allie LaForce to wait and joined the Bally Sports’ interview with Josh Giddy and the rest of the team. The TNT interviewer can be heard saying, “I don’t know what’s happening right now.”

Jalen Williams has engaged the OKC crowd like no one else in recent times. For instance, the sophomore star’s Game 1 antics found a new celebration for the team and fans. In Game 1, Pelicans’ Jonas Valanciunas and Williams had a tough moment securing the loose ball. Valanciunas, in an attempt to snatch the ball, manhandled Williams and lifted him off the floor. Immediately, the refs blew the whistle for a jump ball. In response, Williams walked off to the middle of the court, barking at the crowd, and the arena barked back in unison.

Following the game, as usual, the entire team joined for the post-game interview and barked together at the end of the coverage. Moreover, tonight wasn’t any different. In fact, the 23-year-old brought a customized t-shirt for the game which also carried the words that read, “If you can’t bark with the big dogs, stay off the court.” 

As hilarious as it looked, it looked more like a message to the Bally Sports interviewer, Nick Gallo, as an animated version of his image was also involved in the T-shirt.

The OKC Thunder – Championship run

Currently, with a 3-0 lead in the series, the top-seeding Thunder will look to sweep the series at Smoothie King Arena. The Pelicans stepped into the series without their trump card, Zion Williamson. The rising star suffered a hamstring injury in the play-in tournament against the Lakers.

The latest injury report on 24th April revealed that the management will review the star again in a week. It is highly unlikely that Zion will return for game 4. Even if he returned, he would have a herculean task to lead his team from a 0-3 deficit. On the other hand, the OKC will face either the Mavs or the Clippers in round 2.

While the semi-final series could go in anyone’s favor, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have the opportunity to face the aside after claiming his first-ever MVP award. The star has continued his regular season impact in the playoffs as well, averaging 27.2 points in three games with a high score of 33 points.

Will Shai carry his momentum forward and win the championship for his young bunch? Let us know in the comments.