Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams. Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Jalen Williams is making a legitimate case for NBA Finals MVP

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 8:25 AM ET

Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams has averaged 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists through five games against the Pacers, making a legitimate case to win the NBA Finals MVP Award.

Besides his stellar offensive production, Williams has consistently been the Thunder's best on-ball defender, holding Tyrese Haliburton (28.6 percent), Aaron Nesmith (37.5 percent) and Obi Toppin (33.3 percent) to sub-40 percent shooting. He has also done an admirable job of fighting over screens while guarding Haliburton, not allowing the Pacers star to get into his half-court sets.

Most vitally, Williams has acted as OKC's de facto point guard, relieving a significant amount of pressure from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has consistently faced double- and triple-teams. This was particularly the theme in Game 4 and Game 5 when Williams led all players in USG% (32.8), a strategy that freed up SGA to be a scorer.

Jalen Williams last three games:

31.0 PPG
6.3 RPG
51/40%

FMVP candidate? pic.twitter.com/IissHgxTL5
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 17, 2025

In Monday's Game 5 win, Williams was relentless in attacking the rim, going 9-of-16 on shots in the paint area, including several fallaway jumpers, floaters and innovative shots with his off hand. SGA called Williams "fearless" for his aggressive mindset, crediting his co-star for keeping the Thunder's offense rolling when his shot wasn't falling.

ESPN's Richard Jefferson heaped praise on Williams for his innovative shotmaking around the rim.

"He attacks, attacks and continues to attack, but it's the variety in which he attacks," Jefferson said of Williams. "...Left hand [scoop] high off the glass? This boy has been in the lab. He's got skills that you only get when you work on them consistently."

Williams finished with a playoff career-high 40 points, becoming just the second Thunder player in history (Russell Westbrook) to score 40 in an NBA Finals game. Furthermore, he became just the fifth player aged 25 or younger to score 25+ points in three straight Finals games.

SGA remains the odds-on favorite to win Finals MVP, but Williams could further bolster his case if he continues his form in Game 6 and a possible Game 7.

25+ POINTS IN 3 STRAIGHT GAMES

Jalen Williams is just the 5th player over the last 40 seasons to do this in the NBA Finals before the age of 25, joining:

Kyrie Irving (2016)
Kevin Durant (2012)
Dwyane Wade (2006)
Shaquille O'Neal (1995) pic.twitter.com/vANu0UfBo6
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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