Jun 16, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts during the fourth quarter of game five of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Jalen Williams Joins Russell Westbrook, Lakers Legend in NBA History After Pacers-Thunder Game 5

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI | By Jed Katz | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 11:40 PM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from an NBA championship after a 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Thunder have now won two straight games, taking a 3-2 series lead headed back to Indiana.

Oklahoma City was led by star forward Jalen Williams, who put up an incredible 40 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 14-of-25 shooting from the field. He knocked three of five three-pointers, being a catalyst for the offense and scoring a third of the Thunder's points.

JALEN MF WILLIAMS TONIGHT —

40 POINTS
6 REBOUNDS
4 ASSISTS
14/25 FGM

BEST GAME OF HIS CAREER

pic.twitter.com/OsUhYiCdMN
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 17, 2025

The 24-year-old joined the NBA history books in Game 5, ranking as one of the youngest players in league history to score 40-plus points in a Finals game. The only players younger than him to do so have been Magic Johnson, Rick Barry, Jerry West, and Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook, who did so in 2012 with the Thunder.

Only players younger than Jalen Williams to score 40+ PTS in a Finals game:

Magic Johnson
Rick Barry
Russell Westbrook
Jerry Westpic.twitter.com/3N5WMYiZjg
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 17, 2025

Oklahoma City needed every one of Williams' buckets, as the Pacers came back in the second to make the game even more interesting. They even did so without much contribution from star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who put up just four points, seven rebounds, and six assists on 0-of-4 shooting from the field.

The Thunder are now one win away from their first championship in Oklahoma City. The last time this franchise took home the title was in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics. Through relocation, rebranding, and many roster changes, fans of this team are now on the verge of a championship celebration.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: