Oklahoma City has been one of the league’s best teams as the halfway mark on the season approaches, and it seems like they’ll only get better down the stretch.

Ahead of facing the Pelicans, Thunder forward Jalen Williams opens up about his desire to grow as an NBA player

LAS VEGAS — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paused to consider the possibilities. His dark sunglasses covered his eyes, but the way his head shook and lips smirked suggested he is impressed with the future he envisions for his Oklahoma City Thunder co-star.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have grown frustrated with the officials this season as Mark Daigneault speaks out on the lack of calls for OKC Thunder swingman Jalen Williams.

So Williams’ 33 points on 12-of-25 shooting mattered, more specifically his fourth-quarter rampage. But his effort, uncommon for a young player fresh off the unrecognizable performance he’d had in Orlando, pushed OKC over the top.

Amidst losing the NBA Cup finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder returned to a brutal stretch in their regular-season schedule. Starting with a four-game west-coast road trip on November 25 to the two-game stretch in Florida,

Jalen Williams, who attempted nine shots in the paint, never made it to the free-throw line. OKC's 105-99 win over the Magic was the boiling point.

The Oklahoma City Thunder lost Jaylin Williams to a hamstring injury during training camp and have yet to see him debut for his third NBA season. Mark Daigneault updated the media on Williams' injury.