The 2024-25 season was a particular yr for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. His document of 68 wins and 14 losses was the most effective 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 sequence 3-2. He’s now one win away from successful the Larry O’Brien Trophy. In Sport 5 towards Indiana, Jaylen Williams led the staff 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 a lot 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 incredible 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 recreation. 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 Group, and All-NBA Third Group for the primary time. All through the 2025 playoffs, Williams was a key contributor. In Sport 5 towards the Pacers, Williams scored 40 factors, a playoff profession excessive. He was 14-25 from the sector, 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 underneath the age of 25 to seem within the NBA Finals prior to now 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 known as Williams’ Sport 5 efficiency “actually gutsy,” saying he hit large photographs all evening. Jaylen Williams turned the third-youngest participant to attain 40 or extra factors in a Finals recreation, in accordance with ESPN Stats and Analysis. Solely Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook have been youthful.
In every of the previous three video games, Williams has recorded at the least 25 factors and 5 rebounds. He’s the primary participant underneath 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 likely one of the high two-way gamers within the NBA and is one win away from successful his first NBA Championship.
