The 2024-25 season was a particular 12 months for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Their 68-14 report was the perfect within the NBA, and so they introduced that momentum into the playoffs.
After a 120-109 victory in Recreation 5 and the Pacers, the Thunder took a 3-2 collection lead. They’re one victory away from winding up the Larry O’Brien trophy. Jalen Williams led the staff with 40 factors in opposition to Indiana in Recreation 5. It was the 24-year-old new playoff profession excessive. Williams has been a anonymous hero all through OKC season and is about to win the NBA Finals.
OKC’s Jalen Williams scored a playoff career-high 40 factors in Recreation 5
Jalen Williams Tonight:
40 factors
6 rebounds
4 Help
56% FG(by way of @RealApp_ )) pic.twitter.com/egexnx7d7a
– nbacentral (@thedunkcentral) June 17, 2025
For a lot of the season, PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has seen a lot of the OKC highlight. He had a historic 12 months and was in a position so as to add it by profitable the title and Last MVP. However Thunder’s Jalen Williams can’t be neglected. For the earlier first spherical decide, it was an unimaginable particular person season. Williams averaged 21.6 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per recreation. He began 69 of OKC’s 82 video games in 2024-25. With that manufacturing, Williams praised this previous common season rather a lot.
Jalen Williams was chosen for the primary time within the All-NBA, all-star, second-team and third-team All-NBA. All through the 2025 playoffs, Williams was a key contributor. In opposition to the Pacers in Recreation 5, Williams scored a playoff career-high 40 factors. He was 14-25 from the sector, 3-5 from throughout the arc and 9-12 from the free throw line. Moreover, earlier first-round picks included six rebounds, 4 assists and one metal.
Over 25 factors in 3 straight video games
Jalen Williams is the fifth participant of the previous 40 seasons to do that within 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
Talking to the media after OKC’s victory, Shay Gilgaus Alexander praised his teammate. SGA known as Williams’ Recreation 5 efficiency “actually courageous” and mentioned he took massive photographs all night time. In response to ESPN statistics and analysis, Jalen Williams is the third youngest participant to attain over 40 factors within the last recreation. Solely the magical Johnson and Russell Westbrook had been youthful.
In every of his last three video games, Williams recorded at the very least 25 factors and 5 rebounds. He’s the primary participant underneath the age of 25 to have such a streak since Shaquille O’Neal in 1995. The significance of Jalen Williams can not exaggerate this postseason for Thunder. The All-Star SG is likely one of the top-top gamers within the NBA and is one victory after profitable his first NBA championship.
