The Thunder's Star Duo Aims To Show The League They're Still On Top This Season

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams ranked the fourth-best duo in the league, they'll be out to prove everyone wrong this year.

Jan 13, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams (8) celebrates with guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) after he scored against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

OKC’s star duo has something to prove going into this upcoming season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder roster has two of the best players in the league on their roster in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Gilgeous-Alexander has been the best player in the league for the past two seasons, winning back-to-back MVP awards, while Williams showed out during the 2024-25 season, making an All-NBA Team, and then was unfortunately hurt for most of last season. 

A recent CBS article ranked the NBA’s top duos, with the Thunder pair ranking fourth, and although a big part of this ranking could be due to the fact that Williams was injured for a majority of last season, ranking this duo so low is still shocking nonetheless. 

In front of the OKC duo were Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns for the New York Knicks, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for the Denver Nuggets and finally at one was Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle/Dylan Harper for the San Antonio Spurs. 

While the three duos ahead of the Thunder's stars are no doubt some of the best players in the league, it seems a little disrespectful to a duo that has dominated the league and was only set back last year due to a hiccup. 

Gilgeous-Alexander’s reputation speaks for itself. The back-to-back MVP has averaged over 30 points per game for four straight seasons now, even winning a scoring title in 2024-25. He was the leader during the team’s championship run, winning Finals MVP when it was all said and done to prove it. All this to say, it’s hard to imagine any duo having a better superstar to lead it. 

Additionally, Williams’ injury must have made people forget just how dangerous the star wing is. During OKC’s championship season, Williams averaged 21.6 points per game and over five assists and five rebounds per game. He is one of OKC’s most versatile players, as his defense competes with the level of his offesne. Williams averaged 1.6 steals in his last full season, which helped propel him to an All-NBA Defensive Second Team Selection. 

A healthy Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams are no doubt one of the hardest pairs to stop and have proven that down the line. Now, with the Thunder hoping Williams is fully healthy once again this season, the OKC duo will be out to show the league why they are the best in the league.