While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) grabbed headlines with his clutch performance in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, scoring 15 of the Thunder`s final 16 points to secure a pivotal win against the Pacers and tie the series, OKC might not have even been in that position without the crucial contributions of Jalen Williams.
In Game 4, Williams delivered 26 points, creating much-needed individual scoring when the team`s overall offense lacked flow. But his true breakout arrived in Game 5. With 40 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Williams was instrumental as the Thunder fended off a fierce Pacers rally before pulling away for a 120-109 victory, giving OKC a 3-2 series lead.
Williams is recognized as an All-Star and All-NBA talent, a formidable two-way player and one of the league`s best isolation scorers. However, his brilliance is often overshadowed by SGA, much like Scottie Pippen played alongside Michael Jordan. Williams` Game 5 performance was particularly historic, making him only the fifth player under 25 to score at least 25 points in three consecutive Finals games, joining elite company like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Shaquille O`Neal, and Dwyane Wade.
Adding at least five assists and five rebounds to his 40 points in Game 5 narrows that historical list further to just four names: Magic Johnson, Rick Barry, Russell Westbrook, and now Jalen Williams. He showcased an incredibly versatile scoring arsenal – catch-and-shoots, backdoor cuts, powerful dunks, smooth scoop shots, transition finishes, fadeaways, and improved three-point shooting (3-of-5) and free throws (9-of-12).
“He was really gutsy tonight,” commented SGA on Williams` performance. “He stepped into big plays. Felt like every time we needed a shot, he made it. He wasn`t afraid. He was fearless tonight.”
Coach Mark Daigneault also praised Williams` “force” throughout the game. “That was an unbelievable performance by him… He really was on the gas the entire night. Applied a ton of pressure. Thought he made a lot of the right plays. We`re going to need a similar type of approach in Game 6 from him.”
If the Thunder win the championship, SGA is the likely Finals MVP, and deservedly so. But Williams` impact has been immense. Over his last three Finals games, he`s averaged 31 points and six boards on impressive shooting splits. Without him, OKC would have struggled significantly in Games 4 and 5. Teammate Chet Holmgren highlighted Williams` character and work ethic, stating, “You want to see it pay off for him… We don`t get here without him playing as good as he`s playing. So, we got to make sure he gets his credit, gets his flowers.”
Comparing Williams to Scottie Pippen underscores the significance of his role as an overqualified second option to an MVP. While not a perfect one-to-one skill comparison, the parallels in their function – being elite two-way wingmen who perfectly complement a superstar – are clear. The author even argues that at 24, Williams is already a better scorer and shooter than Pippen was, suggesting his potential is immense.
The “second guy” is often the key differentiator between good teams and great teams. They relieve pressure from the superstar, forcing defenses to disperse their focus. SGA himself acknowledged how much easier Williams makes the game for the whole team, noting his ability to “shoulder a load” and contribute significantly on both ends.
Examining recent championship teams reinforces this idea: the 2016 Cavaliers had Kyrie Irving alongside LeBron James, the 2022 Warriors relied heavily on Andrew Wiggins stepping up, and this year`s Pacers run features Pascal Siakam as a brilliant No. 2 to Tyrese Haliburton. While superstars are constants, the performance of their co-stars often determines ultimate success.
The author contends that Jalen Williams is currently the best number two option in the NBA. He argues Williams surpasses players often considered top second options like Jaylen Brown (though Brown won Finals MVP this year), Karl-Anthony Towns, Jimmy Butler, James Harden, Jamal Murray, Pascal Siakam, and others. Even debating him against LeBron James (now a No. 2 to Luka Doncic) or Anthony Davis/Kyrie Irving for the Mavericks highlights how highly Williams is rated in this role, especially considering his age and trajectory.
Combining Williams` top-end defense with his scoring output (averaging 22 PPG in the playoffs), particularly next to an MVP like SGA, creates exponential results. Their combined 71 points in Game 5 were a historic Finals feat, matching only LeBron and Kyrie from 2016 and 2017 as the only duos in the last 40 years with a 40- and 30-point game together in the Finals.
Jalen Williams is establishing himself as one of the world`s best players, even while being the second-best on his team. He`s on a trajectory towards Pippen-like status in terms of impact as an elite co-star. Though he may remain somewhat in SGA`s shadow, performances like the one in Game 5 put the spotlight squarely on him. The Thunder, with their MVP, stout defense, and an exceptional wingman like Williams, are one win away from a potential dynasty, fueled significantly by the player emerging as the league`s premier number two option.
Jasper Hawthorne