A point forward has emerged in these 2025 Finals: OKC’s Jalen Williams. We’re not comparing him or teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Bulls’ Hall of Fame tandem, but the effect of having Williams start OKC’s offense has freed up Gilgeous-Alexander (in the past two games especially) from constantly taking Indiana’s first defensive punch.

The small markets get the big stage in the NBA Finals that begin Thursday. For Oklahoma City, it’s a second trip since moving from Seattle in 2008.