The 2024-25 season was a particular yr for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. His file of 68 wins and 14 losses was the perfect within the NBA, and he carried that momentum into the playoffs.
With a 120-109 victory over the Pacers in Sport 5, the Thunder now lead the collection 3-2. He’s now one win away from successful the Larry O’Brien Trophy. In Sport 5 in opposition to Indiana, Jaylen Williams led the workforce with 40 factors. This was a brand new playoff profession excessive for the 24-year-old. Williams has been OKC’s unsung hero all season and is on the verge of successful the NBA Finals.
OKC’s Jaylen Williams scored a playoff career-high 40 factors in Sport 5.
Jalen Williams tonight:
40 factors
6 rebounds
4 assists
56percentFG(by way of @realapp_ ) pic.twitter.com/EgEXNX7d7A
— NBA Central (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025
For many of the season, OKC’s PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has gotten essentially the most consideration. He is having a historic yr and will take it even additional by successful the title and Finals MVP. However let’s not overlook the Thunder’s Jaylen Williams. It was an important particular person season for the previous first-round decide. Williams averaged 21.6 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per sport. He began 69 of OKC’s 82 video games within the 2024-25 season. This work earned Williams quite a few awards this common season.
Jaylen Williams was named to the All-Star, All-Defensive Second Crew, and All-NBA Third Crew for the primary time. All through the 2025 playoffs, Williams was a key contributor. In Sport 5 in opposition to the Pacers, Williams scored 40 factors, a playoff profession excessive. He was 14-25 from the sphere, 3-5 from past the arc and 9-12 from the free throw line. Moreover, the previous first-round decide had six rebounds, 4 assists, and one steal.
Rating 25 factors or extra in 3 consecutive video games 🔥
Jaylen Williams is the fifth participant below the age of 25 to seem within the NBA Finals previously 40 seasons, becoming a member of:
Kyrie Irving (2016)
Kevin Durant (2012)
Dwyane Wade (2006)
Shaquille O’Neal (1995) pic.twitter.com/vANu0UfBo6— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
After OKC’s win, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spoke to the media and praised his teammates. SGA referred to as Williams’ Sport 5 efficiency “actually gutsy,” saying he hit large photographs all evening. Jaylen Williams turned the third-youngest participant to attain at the very least 40 factors in a Finals sport, in keeping with ESPN Stats and Analysis. Solely Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook had been youthful.
In every of the previous three video games, Williams has recorded at the very least 25 factors and 5 rebounds. He’s the primary participant below the age of 25 to perform this feat since Shaquille O’Neal in 1995. The significance of Jaylen Williams to the Thunder this postseason can’t be overstated. The All-Star SG is among the prime two-way gamers within the NBA and is one win away from successful his first NBA Championship.
