NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
INDIANAPOLIS— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have not only propelled Oklahoma City to the threshold of their first NBA championship, but they have also etched their names into the annals of Finals history as one of the most dynamic duos.
Throughout the initial five games against the Indiana Pacers, Gilgeous-Alexander (averaging 32.4 points per game) and Williams (25.8 ppg) have together amassed 58.2 points, placing them 10th in the record books for the highest combined scoring by teammates in NBA Finals history. With at least one more game to go, they could either solidify or shift their position on the leaderboard. The Thunder currently lead the series 3-2, heading into Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), while a possible Game 7 would take place on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
The legendary figures on this scoring list include some of the greatest talents the league has seen: Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. With a few exceptions, these are not players with luck on their side; they have led their teams to championships — or fallen valiantly short — with formidable scoring contributions.
The two Thunder stars are clearly enjoying their position among such illustrious company in their inaugural Finals appearance.
“Yeah, it’s been enjoyable thus far,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked on Wednesday. “I believe we both have trust in one another, share a winning mentality, and genuinely want the best for each other. Beyond that, we are naturally good friends, always communicating both on and off the court. Our constant interactions definitely play a role in our synergy.
“We leverage our shared experiences to elevate each other’s game. Whether one of us notices something or feels a particular energy during the game, we utilize those moments to develop together. It’s been advantageous for us.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, who is scoring an average of 32.4 points in the series, has slightly dipped from his regular-season mark of 32.7 that earned him the scoring title and Kia Most Valuable Player accolades. He has surpassed the 30-point mark in four of the five contests, including a commanding 38 in the series opener and a critical 35 in Game 4, where he scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to secure a comeback for the Thunder.
Meanwhile, Williams, who has completed his third season at age 24, has garnered All-NBA, All-Star, and All-Defensive selections. His versatility allows him to perform as a developing “point forward” on offense while enabling him to defend all five positions effectively. He scored 27 points in Game 4 and followed that with an impressive 40-point effort in Game 5, marking him as the ninth player in NBA history aged 24 or younger to achieve such a feat in a Finals game.
“He exemplifies the modern wing player,” stated Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. “He can do it all. He can drive and create plays, shoot from beyond the arc as well as mid-range, finish strong, draw fouls, and maintain a constant threat at the rim.”
Historically, many high-scoring duos in the Finals have resembled a Batman-and-Robin dynamic, pairing an MVP-caliber player with a supporting role. Think of great combos like Jordan and Pippen, or LeBron and Irving. Others, like O’Neal and Bryant, Curry and Durant, or Baylor and West, operated as more equal partners.
With a variety of offensive tactics—catch-and-shoots, backdoor cuts, and transition dunks—Jalen Williams showcased his complete skill set while putting up 40 points in Game 5.
For now, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams align more closely with the former prototype, although their dynamic could evolve into a more balanced partnership over time.
“The key is that we’re both focused on winning,” Williams said. “For us, it doesn’t matter who ends up as the leading scorer. Additionally, his status as MVP makes it easier. If he wants to take more shots, I’ll always encourage him with a ‘good shot’.”
Whether their scoring synergy is more a product of in-game flow or a calculated strategy of the Thunder’s system, their collaboration is proving successful.
“They possess remarkable skill sets,” said OKC coach Mark Daigneault. “Our goal is to enable each player on the team to enhance their unique style of play. Both of them have extensive skill sets due to their diverse capabilities.
“They are outstanding players, but they operate within the team structure. Their play does not overshadow the contributions of others, which has been pivotal for our team’s success.”
Here’s a look at the 15 top-scoring duos in Finals history, ranked by combined points per game:
**Combined ppg: 71.7**
**Team: 1962 Los Angeles Lakers**
Baylor reached at least 30 points in all seven games, including a jaw-dropping 61 in Game 5, a record that still stands after 64 years for the most points scored in a Finals game.
**Combined ppg: 63.3**
**Team: 1963 Los Angeles Lakers**
A trend emerged as L.A.’s scoring stars continued to shine, yet they faced defeat again at the hands of the Boston Celtics — a pattern that would repeat three more times within five years.
**Combined ppg: 63.1**
**Team: 2002 Los Angeles Lakers**
The Lakers concluded a three-peat by sweeping the Nets, with O’Neal joining Michael Jordan as a Finals MVP for the third consecutive time.
**Combined ppg: 63.0**
**Team: 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers**
In a Finals won by Golden State in five games, both teams featured scoring duos that made this list. Irving’s 40 points in Game 4 derailed the Warriors’ perfect postseason run (16-1).
**Combined ppg: 62.2**
**Team: 1993 Chicago Bulls**
Jordan’s 55 points in Game 4 remain the second-highest total recorded in a Finals game. He had four consecutive games with over 40 points during the Bulls’ first three-peat, earning him his third Finals MVP trophy.
**Combined ppg: 62.0**
**Team: 2017 Golden State Warriors**
The Warriors’ duo averaged one point less than the Cavaliers’ James and Irving, but their well-rounded squad managed to outscore Cleveland by 34 points over the five-game series.
**Combined ppg: 59.2**
**Team: 2021 Milwaukee Bucks**
The Bucks became the fifth team to recover from a 2-0 series deficit, securing their first championship in 50 years. Antetokounmpo also posted averages of 13.2 rebounds and five assists while shooting 61.8% overall — a milestone in Finals history for averaging 30/10/5 with at least 60% shooting.
**Combined ppg: 59.1**
**Team: 1967 San Francisco Warriors**
This Finals was akin to Wilt Chamberlain and teammate Al Attles racking up 117 points on March 2, 1962. Barry is a Hall of Famer celebrated as one of the greatest scorers in NBA and ABA history, while King registered an average of 11.1 points during the regular season and just 7.2 throughout his career.
**Combined ppg: 58.9**
**Team: 1966 Los Angeles Lakers**
The two Lakers alternated as primary scorers, yet Boston claimed its eighth consecutive title. The Lakers managed to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the series, but Baylor struggled with just 18 points on 6-of-22 shooting in Game 7.
**Combined ppg: 58.2**
**Team: 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder**
The Thunder duo has accounted for 51% of their team’s scoring in this year’s Finals, a stark contrast to Indiana’s shared offensive strategy, where Pascal Siakam (20.6 ppg) and Tyrese Haliburton (15) have produced merely 32.5% of the Pacers’ total points.
**Combined ppg: 57.6**
**Team: 2001 Los Angeles Lakers**
Following a Game 1 overtime loss in which Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson dropped 48 points, the Lakers rallied to sweep the remaining four games, capturing the middle title of their three consecutive championships.
**Combined ppg: 57.5**
**Team: 1968 Los Angeles Lakers**
Bill Russell triumphed in his debut season as player/coach against his old rivals. In the Game 6 clincher, West and Baylor were overshadowed by John Havlicek’s series-leading 40 points.
**Combined ppg: 56.8**
**Team: 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers**
The Cavaliers made history by being the first team to overcome a 3-1 Finals deficit. James also became the first player to lead all participants in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks within any playoff series.
**Combined ppg: 56.6**
**Team: 1992 Chicago Bulls**
Jordan set the pace by scoring 35 points in the first half of Game 1. He notched 46 in Game 5 and contributed 33 points as the Bulls overcame a 15-point deficit in the final quarter of Game 6.
**Combined ppg: 56.5**
**Team: 2019 Golden State Warriors**
Despite entering the Finals with hopes for a three-peat, the Warriors could not secure victory at home and ended the series with Curry and Thompson managing to combine for 51 points, which fell short against the outputs of four Toronto players — Kyle Lowry (26), Siakam (26), Kawhi Leonard (22), and Fred VanVleet (22) totaling 96.
* * *
Steve Aschburner has covered the NBA since 1980. For further insights, you can contact him via e-mail, explore his archive, and follow him on X.
The perspectives reflected on this page do not necessarily align with those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
