NBA Finals: Thunder one win away thanks to Williams 40 point masterclass

The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the precipice of securing their second NBA title, largely thanks to a scintillating Game 5 performance from Jalen Williams. The Thunder's third-team All-NBA forward delivered the best playoff game of his career on Monday, dropping a postseason-high 40 points to propel his team past the Indiana Pacers, 120-109. League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander complemented Williams' heroics with 31 points of his own, pushing Oklahoma City to a commanding 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals.

With a potential clincher set for Thursday in Indianapolis, the Thunder find themselves in a strong historical position; nearly three-quarters of all teams winning Game 5 after a 2-2 tie have gone on to claim the championship. This follows a dominant regular season where Oklahoma City amassed 68 wins, tied for the fifth-most in NBA history.

Thunder shut down the rally

Despite holding a significant early lead, the Thunder had to withstand one of the Pacers' trademark double-digit comebacks. Indiana, known for their resilience, trimmed a 16-point deficit down to just two in the third quarter. However, Oklahoma City's suffocating defense and the late-game brilliance of Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander ultimately shut down the rally. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault emphasized the need for continued humility and improvement heading into Game 6, acknowledging the challenge of closing out the series on the road.

For the Pacers, who have now lost consecutive games for the first time since early March, the narrative revolved around turnovers and the health of their star. Indiana committed 23 turnovers, which the Thunder ruthlessly converted into 32 points, including 13 in a crucial fourth quarter alone. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points, and reserve T.J. McConnell chipped in 18, but it wasn't enough.

A major concern for Indiana was the subdued performance of Tyrese Haliburton. Clearly battling a right leg injury, Haliburton struggled immensely, failing to make a single field goal and finishing with just four points, seven rebounds, and six assists in 34 minutes. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle confirmed Haliburton was not 100% but insisted he would play in Game 6.

Jalen Williams, now averaging 31 points over the last three games, has emerged as a formidable challenge for the Pacers' defense, which has focused heavily on containing Gilgeous-Alexander. Williams' ability to relentlessly attack the basket and score efficiently, especially in the clutch, has transformed the Thunder's offensive prowess. He is now only the fifth player in league history with three consecutive Finals games of at least 25 points before their 25th birthday, joining elite company. As the series heads back to Indianapolis, the Pacers face the immense task of containing a fearless Jalen Williams, finding a solution for their turnover woes, and hoping for a healthier Tyrese Haliburton to extend their season.