Jalen Williams is rewriting his story in the 2025 NBA Finals, proving he’s more than a sidekick to MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His playoff-career-high 40 points in Game 5 on June 16 lifted the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers, putting OKC one win away from its first NBA title since 1979. Here’s the latest on Williams’ breakout performance and why he’s the key to the Thunder’s championship dreams.
A Historic Night for J-Dub
In Monday’s Game 5 at Paycom Center, Williams erupted for 40 points on 14-of-25 shooting, adding six rebounds and four assists. At just 24, he became the fifth-youngest player in NBA Finals history to score 40 or more points, joining legends like Jerry West and Magic Johnson. When the Pacers cut OKC’s lead to 95-93 in the fourth quarter, Williams’ clutch 3-pointer sparked a surge that sealed the win. “We won the game, so that was cool,” Williams said with a grin, staying focused. “I won’t have much reaction until we handle business.” His performance outshone even Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points and 10 assists, proving Williams is no longer just “Robin” to SGA’s “Batman.”
From Wildcard to Finals Force
Williams entered the playoffs as a question mark after a shaky postseason last year. But in 2025, he’s answered every doubt. His Finals stats—25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 49/46/83 shooting splits—show he’s thriving under pressure. In Game 4, he dropped 27 points, and his 34-point explosion in the Western Conference Finals against Minnesota set the stage for his Finals dominance. “The more on my plate, the better,” Williams told ESPN, embracing the spotlight. His versatility as a point forward has freed up Gilgeous-Alexander, letting OKC’s offense flow while their elite defense suffocates opponents.
How Williams Turned the Tide
Game 5 was a masterclass in clutch play. With Indiana’s T.J. McConnell scoring 13 points in the third to fuel a comeback, Williams stayed calm. His contested floater at the third-quarter buzzer gave OKC an 87-79 lead, quieting a nervous Paycom Center crowd haunted by Game 1’s collapse. “I just go out there and play,” Williams said, crediting his aggressive drives to the basket. The Pacers struggled to keep him out of the paint, and OKC’s defense—led by Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Alex Caruso—stifled Indiana’s flow, holding star Tyrese Haliburton to four points on 0-for-6 shooting due to calf tightness.
A Clean-Slate Mindset
Despite OKC’s 3-2 series lead, Williams sees the Finals as a fresh start. “This is like a totally new series,” he told reporters before Game 5. “You’re treating this as Game 1.” His mindset reflects OKC’s resilience—they haven’t lost two games in a row in over two months. After a rough Game 1 where he scored 17 points on 19 shots, Williams bounced back, averaging 22.3 points in the Finals. His growth from a 6-foot point guard in high school to a 6’5” All-NBA forward shows why coach Mark Daigneault trusts him to run the offense at times, easing the load on Gilgeous-Alexander.
What’s Next for Williams and OKC
Game 6 in Indianapolis on June 19 (8:30 PM ET, ABC) could be the Thunder’s chance to clinch their first title since moving to OKC in 2008. Williams, the No. 12 pick in 2022, is now a Finals MVP contender, with fans on social media buzzing: “Jalen Williams is the real deal! OKC’s got a superstar.” But Indiana’s Pascal Siakam and bench spark T.J. McConnell won’t go quietly, especially after stealing Game 1. If Haliburton’s calf injury lingers, Williams could feast again. A win would cement his legacy as a playoff great at just 24, a rare feat not seen since Bill Walton in 1977.
Williams’ breakout isn’t just about stats—it’s about stepping up when it counts. His All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive honors this season make him a historic figure, and his Finals performance is silencing critics who doubted his clutch ability after last year’s struggles. OKC’s depth, with Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso locking down defense, gives Williams room to shine offensively. As one fan posted, “J-Dub’s 40-piece in Game 5 is why OKC’s one win from glory!” With the Thunder on the verge of history, Williams is proving he’s built for the biggest stage.