The 2024-25 season was a special year for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their 68-14 record was the best in the NBA, and they brought that momentum into the playoffs.
After a 120-109 victory in Game 5 and the Pacers, the Thunder took a 3-2 series lead. They are one victory away from winding up the Larry O’Brien trophy. Jalen Williams led the team with 40 points against Indiana in Game 5. It was the 24-year-old new playoff career high. Williams has been a nameless hero throughout OKC season and is about to win the NBA Finals.
OKC’s Jalen Williams scored a playoff career-high 40 points in Game 5
Jalen Williams Tonight:
40 points
6 rebounds
4 Assist
56% FG(via @RealApp_ )) pic.twitter.com/egexnx7d7a
– nbacentral (@thedunkcentral) June 17, 2025
For most of the season, PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has seen most of the OKC spotlight. He had a historic year and was able to add it by winning the title and Final MVP. But Thunder’s Jalen Williams cannot be overlooked. For the previous first round pick, it was an incredible individual season. Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He started 69 of OKC’s 82 games in 2024-25. With that production, Williams praised this past regular season a lot.
Jalen Williams was selected for the first time in the All-NBA, all-star, second-team and third-team All-NBA. Throughout the 2025 playoffs, Williams was a key contributor. Against the Pacers in Game 5, Williams scored a playoff career-high 40 points. He was 14-25 from the field, 3-5 from across the arc and 9-12 from the free throw line. Additionally, previous first-round picks included six rebounds, four assists and one steel.
Over 25 points in 3 straight games
Jalen Williams is the fifth player of the past 40 seasons to do this in the NBA Finals by the age of 25, and has participated in:
Kyrie Irving (2016)
Kevin Durant (2012)
Dwyane Wade (2006)
Shaquille O’Neill (1995) pic.twitter.com/vanu0ufbo6-NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
Speaking to the media after OKC’s victory, Shay Gilgaus Alexander praised his teammate. SGA called Williams’ Game 5 performance “really brave” and said he took big shots all night. According to ESPN statistics and research, Jalen Williams is the third youngest player to score over 40 points in the final game. Only the magical Johnson and Russell Westbrook were younger.
In each of his final three games, Williams recorded at least 25 points and five rebounds. He is the first player under the age of 25 to have such a streak since Shaquille O’Neal in 1995. The importance of Jalen Williams cannot exaggerate this postseason for Thunder. The All-Star SG is one of the top-top players in the NBA and is one victory after winning his first NBA championship.