From Question Mark to Exclamation Point: Jalen Williams’ Game 5 Masterpiece Puts Thunder on Championship Doorstep
Just a year ago, Jalen Williams was the guy who seemed to shrink when the lights got brightest. The former lottery pick who had folks wondering if he could truly be the Robin to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Batman. The talented wing who disappeared against Dallas in last season’s playoff exit, leaving Thunder fans concerned whether their rising star needed more seasoning before Oklahoma City could truly contend.
Fast forward to Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and J-Dub has morphed into something entirely different: a legitimate superstar who just dropped 40 points to push the Thunder within one win of their first NBA championship.
The 40-Piece That Changed Everything
Williams’ 40-point masterpiece against Indiana wasn’t just impressive—it was transformative. The third-year pro shot 14-of-25 from the field and 3-of-5 from downtown, adding six rebounds and four assists in OKC’s 120-109 victory. This wasn’t just any 40-point game; it was a playoff career-high on the biggest stage, with Williams becoming the fifth-youngest player ever to score 40+ in an NBA Finals game—joining elite company with Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook.
What’s most remarkable is how it happened. After the Pacers trimmed an 18-point deficit down to just a few possessions in the second half, Williams didn’t defer to SGA—he took control. The 24-point second-half explosion included a dagger three-pointer that halted Indiana’s momentum and sparked an 18-6 Thunder run that effectively sealed the game.
“I’ve always been comfortable in those situations,” Williams said after the game, showing the quiet confidence that has become his trademark. “My teammates trust me, my coaches trust me, and I trust myself.”
The Three-Game Tear That Rewrote the Narrative
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Williams has been on an absolute heater, posting 25+ points in three straight Finals games—something no player under 25 has accomplished since Shaquille O’Neal in 1995. The consistency is what separates mere good players from great ones:
- Game 3: 26 points on efficient shooting, providing the secondary scoring punch OKC needed
- Game 4: 27 points with crucial fourth-quarter buckets
- Game 5: 40 points, taking over down the stretch
Even more telling is how Williams has adapted his game. After struggling early in the series, he’s become more aggressive attacking the paint—he took 16 of his 25 shots inside the paint in Game 5. For the first time in his career, he attempted 20+ field goals and 10+ free throws in the same game—the mark of a player who understands that aggression gets rewarded in championship moments.
From Sidekick to Co-Star: The SGA-JDub Dynamic
The conversation around the Thunder has evolved from “SGA and his supporting cast” to “SGA and J-Dub as the league’s next great duo.” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault put it perfectly: “We don’t view it as one-two. We view it as 1A and 1B.”
The numbers back this up. Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points in Game 5) and Williams have combined for 291 points through the first five games of the Finals—the fourth-most by any duo through five Finals games since the NBA-ABA merger. Their chemistry is undeniable, with defenses constantly caught in a pick-your-poison scenario.
SGA, who took home regular-season MVP honors, hasn’t shown an ounce of ego about sharing the spotlight. “J-Dub’s fearless,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after Game 5. “When the moments get bigger, he gets better. That’s rare.”
The Evolution: From Disappointing Playoffs to Finals Dominance
Last year’s playoffs were a learning experience for Williams. Against Dallas, he averaged just 13.2 points on 42% shooting—a significant drop from his regular-season production. The whispers began: Could Williams really be the second option on a championship team?
The journey from that disappointment to Game 5 hero involves both mental and physical development. Williams spent the offseason refining his scoring package, particularly his ability to finish through contact. The results speak for themselves—when the Pacers tried to get physical with Williams in Game 5, he responded by getting to the line 12 times, converting 9 free throws.
But the biggest evolution has been between the ears. Williams approaches pressure moments differently now, attacking rather than settling.
“Last year, I was still trying to figure it out,” Williams admitted earlier in these playoffs. “This year, I know exactly who I am as a player and what this team needs from me.”
The Perfect Complement to an MVP Season
What makes the Williams emergence particularly fascinating is how perfectly it complements SGA’s MVP campaign. Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliant 2024-25 season—28.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds while leading OKC to the West’s top seed—gave Williams space to grow without overwhelming pressure.
Now, as defenses have committed more resources to slowing SGA, Williams has punished them repeatedly. It’s the basketball equivalent of trying to plug holes in a dam—stop one leak, and another one bursts through.
Chet Holmgren, who contributed 16 points and 9 rebounds in Game 5, put it succinctly: “We wouldn’t be here without J-Dub stepping up. His growth this year has been special to watch.”
The Military Kid Who Never Flinches
Some of Williams’ mental toughness can be traced back to his background. Growing up in a military family, discipline and poise under pressure were values instilled early. Those qualities shine through in moments where others might crumble.
When asked about the pressure of closing out the Finals in Game 6, Williams displayed the even-keeled mentality that’s become his calling card: “We haven’t accomplished anything yet. One game at a time, like we’ve been doing all season.”
His Thunder teammates consistently praise his unflappable demeanor. “Some guys get tight in big moments,” said veteran forward Isaiah Joe. “J-Dub gets more relaxed. It’s wild to see.”
From Questionable Pick to Undeniable Star
When the Thunder selected Williams 12th overall in the 2022 draft out of Santa Clara, many questioned the pick. He wasn’t from a blue-blood program, his athleticism didn’t jump off the screen, and most draft experts had him going several picks later.
Thunder GM Sam Presti, no stranger to criticized draft selections that later look brilliant (see: Westbrook, Russell), saw something others missed. Three years later, Williams is making Presti look like a genius once again—a smooth, versatile wing who can score at all three levels, defend multiple positions, and rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest.
Williams finished third in Most Improved Player voting this season after making his first All-Star team. If he helps deliver Oklahoma City’s first NBA title in Game 6, he’ll have a much more significant label attached to his name: champion.
One Win Away from Thunder History
As the series shifts back to Indiana for Game 6, the Thunder stand on the precipice of history. Since relocating from Seattle in 2008, Oklahoma City has come close to NBA glory—making the Finals in 2012 with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook—but never reached the mountain top.
Williams has gone from being questioned as SGA’s sidekick to being the potential missing championship piece. After his Game 5 dominance, the question now isn’t whether Williams is good enough to be the second option on a title team—it’s whether we need to stop viewing him as the second option at all.
For all the numbers and accolades, what stands out most about Williams’ Game 5 performance was its artistic quality—the smooth footwork, the calm demeanor, the quiet confidence of a player who knows he belongs.
“Really, I’m just grateful to be in this position,” Williams said. “But we’re not done. One more to go.”
One more indeed. And if J-Dub brings even a fraction of his Game 5 magic to Indiana, Oklahoma City might soon be planning a parade—with two young superstars leading the way.