As the 2025 NBA Playoffs march toward their dramatic conclusion, New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson has added an unexpected emotional twist to the postseason narrative. Beyond chasing a championship with his team, Brunson holds out hope for a family reunion of epic proportions—meeting his half-brother, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jaylin Williams, in the NBA Finals.
Brunson, whose stellar play has helped propel the Knicks deep into the Eastern Conference playoffs, expressed his personal motivation during a recent media session. “We talk a lot, and I’ve told him straight up—I’d love nothing more than to see him in the Finals,” Brunson said of Williams. “It’d be surreal. Brother against brother, on the biggest stage. It’s something we dreamed about as kids, even if we didn’t know how real it could become.”
Though fans have long followed Brunson’s rise from NCAA champion at Villanova to Knicks centerpiece, few were aware of his unique family bond with Jaylin Williams, the rising forward for the Thunder. Despite sharing a father, the two were raised in different households and only developed a closer relationship later in life. Still, their connection has grown strong, both on and off the court.
While the NBA has seen its share of brotherly matchups—think of the Gasols, Currys, and Holidays—Brunson and Williams stand out not only because of their half-sibling status but also because of the paths they’ve taken. Brunson, 28, is an established All-Star and MVP candidate, while Williams, 22, is carving out his own identity as a high-energy forward and key piece in OKC’s resurgence.
The Thunder have turned heads this season, defying expectations with a fast, unselfish style of play led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and buoyed by a deep, youthful bench that includes Williams. The Knicks, meanwhile, have found their stride behind Brunson’s scoring heroics and a defensive grit reminiscent of their 1990s heyday.
A Knicks-Thunder Finals would not only mark a refreshing shift in NBA power dynamics—it would symbolize a personal triumph for both Brunson and Williams. It’s rare for brothers to meet on such a stage; rarer still when they’ve grown up in different environments and forged separate basketball paths.
“This would mean everything to our family,” Williams told reporters. “We’ve both worked so hard to get to this point. I’ve looked up to Jalen since day one, and we’ve pushed each other from a distance. To go head-to-head for a title? That’s next level.”
NBA fans have embraced the story, with social media buzzing at the possibility of this family showdown. Some even jokingly suggest a pre-game coin toss to determine which parent sits where. But beyond the memes, there’s a heartfelt truth: the NBA Finals could become a place where family, ambition, and legacy converge.
Their styles couldn’t be more different—Brunson, a cerebral floor general known for his footwork and poise; Williams, a bruising yet agile big man who thrives in the paint and as a defensive anchor. If the basketball gods align and both teams make it through their conference finals, the tactical battle between the Knicks’ controlled offense and OKC’s up-tempo chaos will be captivating in its own right.
From a legacy perspective, the matchup would also represent the growing diversity of NBA storylines. No longer are championships dominated solely by the biggest markets or superstar-stacked teams. Instead, narratives like that of Brunson and Williams—of family, development, and perseverance—highlight how rich and personal the game has become.
Brunson is under no illusions about how hard the road is. The Knicks face stiff competition in the East, and OKC has its hands full in the West. But hope persists—not just for a title, but for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete against someone who knows him better than most.
“At the end of the day, we’re both trying to win. If we do meet, there’ll be no easy buckets,” Brunson laughed. “But after that final whistle, win or lose, it’s all love. Always has been.”
As the playoffs unfold, basketball fans everywhere will watch closely. Not just for the dunks, the drama, or the glory—but for a potential Finals moment that transcends sport: two brothers, divided by teams, united by blood, chasing the same dream on th
e league’s biggest stage.
