NBA Makes Historical Jalen Williams Announcement Before Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The NBA Finals tip off on Thursday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1.

Oklahoma City enters Game 1 trying to continue their dominant stretch as they try to grab an early lead in the series on their home court.

Of course, the Thunder are led by MVP winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but they will need some of their other key players like Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso and Lu Dort to continue to step up if they want to grab an early advantage in the series.

The Thunder will also need their star forward Jalen Williams to continue to play at the level that he has all season as he has arguably been their second-best player outside of Shai this season.

Ahead of Game 1 on Thursday night, the NBA made a historical announcement regarding Williams.

The NBA announced that Williams is set to become the first player to be an All-Star, All-NBA Team and All-Defensive Team selection and play in the NBA Finals in the same season in his third season or earlier since Bill Walton of the Portland Trail Blazers did so in 1976-77.

FINALS FACT: Jalen Williams of the @okcthunder is set to become the first player to be an All-Star, All-NBA Team and All-Defensive Team selection and play in the NBA Finals in the same season in his third season or earlier since Portland’s Bill Walton in 1976-77. pic.twitter.com/BkNkN7abvU

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 5, 2025

This is an incredible achievement for Williams as he has continued to blossom into a star player for the Thunder this season.

Of course, the 24-year-old forward made his first career All-Star game this season along with being named to the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for the first time.

This comes amid a season where he averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 36.5% from three during the regular season.

In the playoffs, Williams has continued to play at a high level for the Thunder as he is averaging 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 45.7% from the field and 31.8% from three.

Now Williams and the rest of the Thunder will enter Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home on Thursday night as they try to start the series off with a victory.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

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