Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams Join NBA Finals’ Elite Scoring Duos
Oklahoma City’s dynamic backcourt climbs the all-time ranks with a historic scoring surge against Indiana
Thunder Strike Gold in the NBA Finals
INDIANAPOLIS — What began as a breakthrough postseason run has quickly evolved into something legendary. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams haven’t just propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to the edge of their first NBA title — they’ve become one of the greatest scoring duos in NBA Finals history.
Through five thrilling games against the Indiana Pacers, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams are averaging a combined 58.2 points per game, good for 10th all-time in Finals history. The Thunder lead the series 3-2 and are one win away from making history. Game 6 tips off Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Elite Company, Exceptional Production
To land among names like Shaq and Kobe, Jordan and Pippen, and West and Baylor, you have to produce at a level few can reach. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32.4 points per game and Williams’ 25.8 have been the offensive backbone of Oklahoma City’s Finals surge, accounting for more than half of the team’s scoring output.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 NBA MVP and scoring champion, has been as steady as he is sensational. He’s scored 30+ in four of five games, including a 38-point performance in the opener and 35 in a critical Game 4 comeback.
Meanwhile, Williams is announcing himself on the league’s biggest stage. The 24-year-old earned All-NBA, All-Star, and All-Defensive honors this year and showcased his offensive firepower by dropping 27 in Game 4 and a career-defining 40 in Game 5 — becoming the ninth player age 24 or younger to score 40+ in a Finals game.
Chemistry Fuels the Fire
It’s not just about raw numbers. According to Gilgeous-Alexander, their success is rooted in a deep personal bond.
“We just trust each other. We want the best for each other above all,” he said. “We talk all the time — on and off the court. That helps with everything.”
Williams echoed the sentiment, emphasizing their shared mindset.
“We both want to win. It doesn’t matter who scores more. He’s the MVP. I’ll tell him ‘good shot’ every time. We just feed off each other.”
Their synergy has created a unique balance: one player a proven superstar, the other an ascending two-way weapon with positional versatility. According to Indiana coach Rick Carlisle, Williams is the “quintessential modern-day wing,” able to score from anywhere and defend anyone.
A Legacy in the Making
While many of the greatest Finals tandems followed the classic “Batman and Robin” model — Jordan and Pippen, LeBron and Kyrie — others like Shaq and Kobe or Curry and Durant were closer to equals. Right now, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams lean toward the former, but it’s clear that Williams is rising fast and narrowing that gap.
OKC coach Mark Daigneault credits their individual versatility and team-first mentality.
“They’re great players, but they do it inside the team. It doesn’t suffocate our team,” he said. “That’s why the team’s been successful.”
The Countdown to Immortality
As the Thunder prepare for a pivotal Game 6, their place in history is already secured — at least on one leaderboard. With a win, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams could ascend even higher, not just in stats but in legacy.
They’re not just making shots — they’re making memories.
