Jalen Williams Shines as Thunder Take 3-2 Lead in NBA Finals

Oklahoma City One Win Away from Championship Glory

In a raucous Paycom Center drenched in playoff energy, Jalen Williams delivered a performance that could go down as the turning point of the 2025 NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder forward erupted for a career-best 40 points in a 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers, pushing his team to a 3-2 series lead and within touching distance of their first NBA title since the Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook era.

It wasn’t just the numbers — though they were eye-popping — it was the timing, poise, and control that made Williams’ night feel like something more than just a statistical achievement. When the Pacers came storming back from 18 points down to make it a two-point game in the fourth quarter, it was Williams who put the brakes on the collapse.

“Honestly, I just tried to stay calm,” Williams said after the game, with a disarming grin. “My teammates instil a lot of confidence in me to go out and be myself. And Coach Mark [Daigneault] has done a great job of reinforcing that — telling me I don’t need to be anything more than who I am. That’s given me a lot of freedom.”

That freedom turned into fireworks. Williams drained 17 of his 26 shot attempts, attacked the rim relentlessly, and hit a pair of crucial threes in the final five minutes to help seal the deal. But as ever, Oklahoma’s MVP led from the front.

Shai Gilgeous–Alexander’s Steady Hand Guides the Thunder

Jalen Williams scores 40 as Thunder beat Pacers to move 1 win away from NBA title

While Williams stole the show, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — the newly crowned NBA Most Valuable Player — was quietly brilliant once again. The Thunder guard finished with 31 points, 10 assists, and an overwhelming sense of control over the game’s tempo. His calmness down the stretch, particularly during Indiana’s surge, was pivotal.

Gilgeous-Alexander found Williams for two open midrange looks late in the fourth and iced the game himself with a classic hesitation dribble into a foul-drawing layup. It was a reminder that while the Thunder’s youth has been celebrated all season, their maturity is what’s truly setting them apart on the game’s biggest stage.

“He just knows when to strike,” Daigneault said of his star guard. “He’s the heart of everything we do. But the beauty of this group is that it isn’t just about one guy. Jalen showed that tonight.”

Pacers Show Fight, But Haliburton Struggles Again

Thunder 120, Pacers 109: Jalen Williams scores 40 points as OKC take 3-2 series lead

Indiana didn’t go quietly. After falling behind by 18 midway through the second quarter, Rick Carlisle’s team clawed back into the contest with grit and persistence. Myles Turner (24 points) and Andrew Nembhard (19 points) led the charge, while T.J. McConnell provided his usual spark off the bench.

But the elephant in the room — or rather, limping across it — was Tyrese Haliburton. The All-Star guard, battling an apparent leg or hip issue, managed just four points on 2-of-9 shooting in 34 minutes. His usually vibrant playmaking and sharp shooting were notably absent.

“It’s pretty clear he’s not 100%,” Carlisle admitted postgame. “We were concerned at halftime, but he insisted on playing.”

Haliburton, ever the competitor, wasn’t interested in excuses.

“It’s the Finals, man,” he said. “I’ve worked my whole life to be here. I want to be out there helping my team, whatever that looks like. Tonight wasn’t my best night, but the only thought in my head is getting ready for Game 6. If I can walk, I’ll play.”

Game 6 Looms Large in Indianapolis

The series now shifts back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for a decisive Game 6 on Thursday night (8:30 PM local, 1:00 AM BST Friday), with Indiana facing elimination on their home court.

They’ve already shown they’re capable of bouncing back — their Game 1 comeback from 15 points down is proof — but with Haliburton ailing and the Thunder’s confidence building, the task will be steep.

“We’ve been here before,” Pacers big man Turner said. “We’ve responded all year. That won’t change now. It’s win or go home — we know what’s at stake.”

The Thunder, for their part, aren’t counting any chickens yet.

“It’s not over,” Gilgeous-Alexander cautioned. “They’re a tough team, well-coached, and they’ve got pride. We’ve got to go in there and play our best game of the season.”

A Franchise on the Brink of a New Era

Just two years ago, Oklahoma City was in the throes of a full-scale rebuild. Now, with a roster built on savvy draft picks, disciplined development, and inspired leadership, they’re 48 minutes away from a championship.

Williams’ star turn only adds to a growing narrative that the Thunder may not just be arriving — they might be here to stay. Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, and Lu Dort all played key roles in the win, proving that this is no one-man band.

“It’s a team in every sense,” Coach Daigneault said. “Everyone is empowered. Everyone is accountable. That’s how you get here.”

What to Watch for in Game 6

Several key storylines now hover over Game 6:

• Will Haliburton be closer to full health? Even a 75% version would boost Indiana’s chances significantly.

• Can Williams back it up on the road? The 40-point night was electric — now comes the challenge of consistency under pressure.

• Will the Thunder close it out, or allow the Pacers to force a Game 7 back in Oklahoma?

For fans, this has been a Finals series full of surprise heroes, resilient comebacks, and electric atmospheres. Game 6 promises more of the same — with the NBA’s biggest prize hanging in the balance.

One more win, and the Oklahoma City Thunder will write the next great chapter in their franchise’s history. One more fightback, and the Indiana Pacers could force a Game 7 thriller that no basketball fan would want to miss.