Ex-NBA Player Believes the Thunder Has the Best Situation in All of Sports - Dec 20, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts after a three-point basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams Gets 100% Honest on Being Compared to Scottie Pippen

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 7:50 AM ET

Jalen Williams has come into his own for the Oklahoma City Thunder this postseason, as he has been a reliable sidekick for league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Following his 40-point explosion in Game 5 , Williams has drawn comparisons to former Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen, and the one-time NBA All-Star sees it as a huge honor to be compared to one of the most established stars in league history.

“I feel like a new-age Scottie maybe,” Williams told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “I’m not mad at that one at all. I like that. And then obviously Shai gets a little Jordan comparison, so that’s cool. It’s very cool. Any time you compared to somebody like that, you’re doing something right.”

Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams Gets 100% Honest on Being Compared to Scottie Pippen 6 Nov 8, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and forward Jalen Williams (8) smile during a timeout against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“He is pretty special,” Pippen said about Williams. “I’m enjoying watching him. I see a lot of me in him for sure. 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.”

Oklahoma City Thunder News: Jalen Williams drops brutally honest take on Game 6 loss

Jalen Williams lamented the Oklahoma City Thunder’s effort on both ends of the court during their Game 6 108-91 loss to the Indiana Pacers last night. Williams had a -40 plus-minus, the worst plus-minus by any player in a Finals match in the play-by-play era since 1997-98, according to ESPN Research.

Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Overpowers Raptors, Shares 1 Controversial NBA Cup Take 3 Nov 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and forward Jalen Williams (8) talk during a time out against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“It (Thunder offense) just got sticky, I feel like. Our defense wasn’t very good. When you’re constantly taking the ball out and you’re playing against a set defense over and over again, that’s part of it. Other part, we didn’t do a good job trusting each other to make the next play like we did Game 5,” Williams told ESPN.

The Santa Clara product finished Game 6 with 16 points and three rebounds on 6-for-13 shooting from the field in 27 minutes of action. The Oklahoma City Thunder aim to close out the Indiana Pacers at home in Game 7 this Sunday.