Jalen Williams produced a stunning 40-point performance to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals. With this victory, the Thunder now hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, placing them just one win away from their first NBA championship in over a decade.
Williams stole the spotlight with his playoff career-high display, adding six rebounds and four assists, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again proved his MVP credentials with 31 points, 10 assists, four blocks, and two steals in a clutch performance that sealed the night for OKC.
Thunder Learn from Game 1 Collapse
This was a game with echoes of Game 1, where Oklahoma let a 15-point lead slip in the fourth quarter. But this time, the young Thunder squad showed maturity and poise, shutting the door on Indiana’s late push.
“Tonight was the exact same game as Game 1, to be honest,” Williams admitted post-game. “But learning through these Finals is what makes this team good. We were able to adjust and close it out.”
That composure was on full display in the fourth quarter. After the Pacers cut the deficit to just two points with eight minutes remaining—thanks to a Pascal Siakam three-pointer—the Thunder didn’t panic. Instead, Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander combined for 20 points in the final stretch to keep Indiana at bay.
GAME 5 FINAL SCORE
Jalen Williams tallies a playoff career-high 40 PTS as the @okcthunder take a 3-2 series lead and move to one win away from a title!
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 31 PTS, 10 AST, 4 BLK
Game 6: Thursday, 6/19 at 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/s8pNbAWTzv
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
Pacers Fight Hard, but Injuries Take Toll
Indiana’s comeback attempt was admirable. After falling behind 29-17 early and trailing by 18 in the second quarter, the Pacers clawed back behind Siakam’s 28-point outing and a high-energy third quarter.
But the absence of a fully fit Tyrese Haliburton proved costly. The All-Star guard, who has been nursing a right calf injury since Game 2, exited in the first quarter before returning later. He never looked close to 100%, finishing with just four points—all from free throws—and lacking his usual explosiveness.
“He’s not 100 percent, it’s pretty clear,” Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle said. “We were concerned at halftime, but he insisted on playing. There are a lot of guys in this series playing through pain.”
In Haliburton’s absence, backup T.J. McConnell injected some life into Indiana’s offense, pushing the tempo and helping the Pacers outscore the Thunder 34-28 in the third quarter. But the lack of consistent shot creation from the backcourt ultimately limited Indiana’s ceiling on the night.
Thunder Set the Tone Early
Oklahoma came out aggressive from the opening tip. With Chet Holmgren anchoring the defense and Cason Wallace hitting his first playoff three-pointer, the Thunder built an early 12-point lead. Their energy on both ends of the floor forced the Pacers into awkward shots and turnovers.
At halftime, the Thunder were up 59-45, having limited Indiana’s offense and executed efficiently on their own possessions. Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander were already rolling with a combined 29 points.
In the third quarter, Indiana responded. McConnell’s drive-and-kick game, combined with improved ball movement, helped the Pacers chip away at the lead. By the time the final frame arrived, it was just an eight-point game.
Jalen Williams: The Star of Game 5
If there were any doubts about who the breakout star of these Finals could be, Jalen Williams silenced them in Game 5. The 24-year-old was electric, attacking the rim, hitting mid-range jumpers, and dishing out key assists. His ability to make plays off the dribble was a game-changer, especially with the Pacers putting extra focus on Gilgeous-Alexander.
“My teammates instill a lot of confidence in me,” said Williams. “Coach Mark [Daigneault] always tells me to be myself, not do too much—and that’s helped me a lot.”
That trust paid off. With the game in the balance, Williams delivered big shots, never looking rattled even when Indiana made their late surge.
JDUB DELIVERS A GAME 5 MASTERPIECE
⚡️ 40 PTS (playoff career high)
⚡️ 24 PTS in 2H
⚡️ 14-25 FGM
⚡️ 3rd-straight 25+ PT game@okcthunder are now just 1 win away from an NBA Championship! pic.twitter.com/XQHbkCB2rz— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
What’s Next
The Thunder now have two chances to close out the series, with Game 6 set for Thursday in Indianapolis. If they win, it will mark the franchise’s first title since 1979 (when they were the Seattle SuperSonics) and their first as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pacers, meanwhile, will be hoping Haliburton can recover in time to help force a Game 7. They’ve made a habit of late comebacks this postseason—but against this focused and confident Thunder squad, the mountain might be a little too steep.
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