Jalen Williams scored 40 points on 14-of-25 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, in the fifth game of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers to help the Oklahoma City Thunder register a 120-109 win and take a 3-2 lead. The Thunder were leading by 18 points at one stage but their lead was cut short to two points before Williams once again put his team in front with a three-pointer from the right wing.
After that crucial shot, OKC outscored the opposition by 18-6. The franchise superstar and NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showered praise on Williams and called his effort gutsy.
“He was really gutsy tonight,” Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He stepped into big plays. Felt like every time we needed a shot, he made it. He wasn’t afraid. He was fearless tonight.”
SGA also played a key role in his team’s win, scoring 31 points, dishing out 10 assists, and blocking 2 shots.
Williams, 24, became the third-youngest player to score at least 40 points in a Finals game, trailing only Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook.
“It’s something more that I’ll look back on later than worry about what kind statement it makes,” said Williams, who also had six rebounds and four assists in the win. “I think the only statement we have right now is we’re up 3-2 and we have to still go earn another win.”
The youngster added he wanted to be aggressive in his game and deliver for his team in this crucial game.
“I’m just out there being aggressive,” Williams said. “Like I said, I have a staff and teammates that allow me to do that, figure out my game and just figure out spots where I can try and be dynamic. A lot of that is just me trying to pick my spots and do what I can in order to win the game. Not every game’s going to be 40 or 25. It’s kind of like doing whatever it takes to win the game.”
The sixth game of the series will be played on Thursday.
