Jalen Williams' 40 points lead Thunder past Pacers 120-109 in NBA Finals Game 5 (June 17). With SGA's help, OKC is now one win from their first NBA title.
StatPro NBA Beat Reporter
This is it. This is the moment every Thunder fan has been dreaming of. After a heart-pounding 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5, Oklahoma City is just one win away from its first-ever NBA Championship. In a game defined by superstar performances and championship-level poise, Jalen Williams delivered an all-time performance, cementing his status as a rising force in this league and pushing the Thunder to a 3-2 series lead.
Jalen Williams now has more 40-point NBA Finals games than Luka Doncic.
When the lights were brightest, Jalen 'J-Dub' Williams didn't just play well; he ascended. Dropping a career playoff-high 40 points on a blistering 14-of-24 shooting, Williams was the engine, the closer, and the undeniable hero of Game 5. Every time the Pacers surged, J-Dub had an answer. Social media erupted, with analysts and fans anointing him the breakout star of the Finals. This wasn't just a great game; it was a legendary performance that will be replayed in Oklahoma City for decades to come.
While J-Dub's explosion stole the headlines, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his campaign of relentless, historic excellence. SGA added a cool 31 points and 10 assists, setting a new NBA record for the most 30+ point, 5+ assist games in a single playoff run. Together, the duo combined for a staggering 71 points, the tenth time they've surpassed the 70-point mark this postseason. They are not just a one-two punch; they are a two-headed monster that the Pacers have found no answer for.
This victory was a testament to the team's growth. After building a lead as large as 18, the Thunder saw it evaporate to just two points in a tense fourth quarter. Lesser teams would have crumbled. Instead, OKC responded. As Coach Mark Daigneault noted, the team learned from its earlier struggles, executing with poise down the stretch. The tone was set early by Isaiah Hartenstein, who opened with a dunk and provided key defensive plays and assists. It was a total team effort, a championship response when it mattered most.
The job is not finished, but the dream is closer than ever. All eyes now turn to Indiana for Game 6 on Thursday. With one more win, this young, resilient Thunder team can bring the Larry O'Brien trophy to Oklahoma City for the very first time. The city holds its breath.
