Jalen Williams Ignites Thunder with 40-Point Playoff Explosion in Game 5 Win
What a night it was in Oklahoma City! The Thunder are now just one win away from their first NBA title since the franchise moved from Seattle, and they have none other than Jalen Williams to thank for it. In a spectacular Game 5 performance, Williams delivered a playoff career-high 40 points, stealing the show and proving that he’s not just a rising star — he’s arrived.
And of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP from Hamilton, Ontario, was right there with him. Shai poured in 31 points and added 10 assists in yet another all-around masterclass. Together, these two combined for a staggering 71 points — marking the tenth time they’ve eclipsed 70 in a game this season, but this one was by far the most important.
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The Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 120-109, and while the final score might suggest a comfortable win, it was anything but. Oklahoma City jumped out to an 18-point lead late in the second quarter, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned about these Pacers in this postseason, it’s that no lead is safe. Even with Tyrese Haliburton struggling through a leg injury, Indiana clawed back — cutting the deficit to just four points in the fourth quarter, thanks to strong efforts from Pascal Siakam and TJ McConnell.
Siakam was a force with 28 points, and McConnell came alive in the third, dropping 13 in less than seven minutes. Indiana had OKC on the ropes, but when it mattered most, the Thunder responded. Shai took command, Jalen hit timely shots, and the defense tightened up just enough to close things out.
Historically, teams that win Game 5 of a Finals series tied at 2-2 go on to win the championship nearly 75% of the time. With a 3-2 lead heading into Game 6, the odds are definitely in Oklahoma City's favor. But stats mean little in the chaos of playoff basketball. The Thunder know they have to finish the job — and if Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander keep playing like this, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping them.
Thursday night in Indiana is going to be massive. One team will either force a Game 7 or we’ll witness the crowning of new NBA champions. But no matter what happens next, Jalen Williams’ performance in Game 5 just stamped itself into Thunder history.
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