Jalen Williams: The Next Scottie Pippen? | OKC Thunder
- Like Scottie Pippen, Jalen Williams wasn't a highly touted prospect.
- Williams's versatility is on full display in the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
- Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams have become one of the highest-scoring duos in NBA Finals history.
Is Jalen Williams the next Scottie Pippen? This piece dissects how the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rising star, Jalen Williams, mirrors Scottie Pippen’s ascent. We analyze Williams’s dynamic partnership with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a duo dominating the NBA Finals. Witness his versatility, from guarding pascal Siakam to scoring a playoff-high 40 points. Hear directly from Pippen, who recognizes the similarities, predicting a bright future for Williams. News Directory 3 brings you thorough insights into this exciting comparison and the Thunder’s championship aspirations. Discover what’s next for Jalen Williams and the OKC Thunder.
Jalen williams: Is He the Next Scottie Pippen for the OKC Thunder?
Updated jun 19, 2025
Like Scottie Pippen, Jalen Williams wasn’t a highly touted prospect. Overlooked initially, Williams’s talent emerged gradually, rocketing him up draft boards. Now, he’s a key piece for the Oklahoma City Thunder, drawing comparisons to Pippen’s role alongside Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls.
Williams’s versatility is on full display in the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. He’s guarding Pascal Siakam, initiating offense, and scoring, highlighted by a playoff-high 40 points in Game 5.His partnership with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is proving potent.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams have become one of the highest-scoring duos in NBA Finals history. Their combined 291 points through five games put them in the company of Jordan and Pippen, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, and Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
Pippen himself sees the resemblance. “He is pretty special,” pippen said. “I’m enjoying watching him. I see a lot of me in him without a doubt. I see a guy rising to be one of the top players in this league. He’s definitely a player that is capable of being able to lead that franchise to multiple championships — him and Shai, of course.”
Williams noted his role within the Thunder. “It’s vrey easy when you have a team that likes to do their role,” Williams said. “And I’m not saying that guys can’t branch out,but just when everybody kind of accepts that role for the better of their team … I know mine… I got good at was understanding how Shai likes to play and being able to patch my game into something that complements him a lot more and can take the load off of him.”
Gilgeous-Alexander praised Williams’s impact. “‘Dub’ has made tremendous strides,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He is one of the biggest reasons why we’re here… He is a gamer. He is a winner… He is a Swiss Army knife, and he’s only getting better with every game he plays. I’m excited to see where he ends up.”
Pippen believes Williams’s continued growth should be anticipated. “When guys go through journeys like that, watch out because the sky’s the limit,” Pippen said. “He is going to be a great player because he still feels unwanted. He’s still got that chip on his shoulder that, ‘Thay don’t know what they missed out on’… In the future, you will see that he’ll continue to just get better. He’s going to always keep his knife sharp.”
What’s next
oklahoma City has a chance to win their first NBA championship in Game 6 against indiana. With Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, the Thunder’s future looks bright.