In addition to the Oklahoma City Thunder defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to move within a stone’s throw of a championship, there was another milestone to celebrate for the Western Conference team: Jalen Williams joined a select group in the league after scoring 40 points on Monday night, surpassing teammate and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA).
Williams had 40 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the Thunder’s 120-109 Game 5 victory over the Indiana Pacers, helping his team take a 3-2 series lead and move within a single win of the NBA title.
Which elite group did Jalen Williams join in the NBA?
Williams scored 25 or more points for the third straight NBA Finals game, after scoring 26 points in Game 3 and 27 points in Game 4, in addition to his explosion on Monday. He became the fifth player in the last 40 seasons to score 25 or more points in three consecutive Finals games before turning 25, joining an elite group with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, and Shaquille O’Neal.
He also became one of the five youngest players to score 40 points in a Finals game, according to ESPN’s Zach Kram. Williams has a chance to continue his winning streak in Game 6 as the Thunder look to secure the title at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
SGA: “Every time we needed a shot, Jalen Williams made it”
Oklahoma City Thunder star and MVP award winner Shai-Gilgeous Alexander praised his teammate Jalen Williams’ magnificent performance on Monday, which brought his team within one win of a championship.
“Tonight (Williams) was really brave. He responded on big plays. I felt like every time we needed a shot, he made it. He wasn’t afraid. He played fearlessly,” he said in a press conference. “Whether the shots were going in or not, and obviously they went in more than not today, he stepped up with confidence, for sure,” he added.
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