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Jalen Williams drops 40 to put OKC one win away from the title.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
June 17, 2025
Thunder Strikes Twice: Jalen Williams & SGA lead OKC to pivotal Game 5 win
Attacking The Moment: How fearless aggression has fueled JDub’s Finals fire
Defense & Depth: Thunder defense shines to hold off Indy’s latest comeback try
On The Ground: SGA’s autograph count, Siakam staying loose and a proud father
Unforgettable: Kevin Garnett, “Anything is possible!” – 17 years ago today
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Back to Indy…
With OKC up 3-2, the Finals shifts back to Indy for Game 6 on Thursday (8:30 ET, ABC). Will the Thunder claim their first title in the OKC era, or will the Pacers force a Game 7?
1. THUNDER STRIKES TWICE: OKC DUO SHINES IN CRUCIAL GAME 5 WIN
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
In the highest-stakes game of their careers, OKC’s Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were at their best.
Behind a Playoff career-high 40 points from Williams and a first-of-its-kind Finals performance from SGA, the Thunder moved one away from the franchise’s first championship of its OKC era.
Thunder 120, Pacers 109: OKC’s All-NBA duo combined for 71 points as the Thunder built an 18-point lead in the 1st half and then held off the Pacers in the 2nd to become the first team to win consecutive games in this Finals and take a 3-2 lead back to Indy. | Recap
- Déjà Vu: The 71 points from JDub and SGA were the most by teammates both 27 or younger in a Finals game since Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant hit the same mark in OKC’s last Finals appearance in 2012
- Great Company: JDub (40 pts) & SGA (31 pts) joined Kyrie Irving & LeBron James (2016, 2017) as the only other teammates (of any age) to have at least 40 & 30 in a Finals game in the past 40 years
- Williams was in attack mode all night (scoring 6 pts in the 1st quarter, 10 in the 2nd, 13 in the 3rd and 11 in the 4th) with nearly half of his points coming in the paint (18) as he topped his previous Playoff career-best of 34 points
- Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player to record at least 30 points, 10 assists and 4 blocks in a Finals game since 1973-74, when blocks were first tracked
As great as OKC’s lead duo performed, the Thunder also got nine points apiece from Chet Holmgren (11 reb, 3 blk) and Luguentz Dort (3 3pm, 2 stl) as well as a combined 25 points with 7 triples from Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace off the bench.
The Thunder needed everything they got from up and down the roster to hold off the Pacers – the kings of the comeback in the 2025 postseason – as Game 5 played out eerily similarly to Game 1.
- Quick Start: OKC built a double-digit lead in the opening quarter fueled by its defense, which forced seven Indiana turnovers and turned them into seven points
- Unable To Break Away: While the Thunder dominated much of the 1st half, they were unable to push the lead to 20+ points as the Pacers stayed within striking distance
- Comeback Begins: T.J. McConnell – the sparkplug behind Indy’s last win in Game 3 – scored 13 of the last 17 points for Indy to close the 3rd quarter down just eight points
- Comeback Continues: Pascal Siakam – who scored a series-high 28 points – then took the lead role, scoring 12 of Indy’s first 14 points of the 4th quarter to make it a two-point game with 8:30 left
- OKC’s Answer: As their lead shrunk to a single bucket, the Thunder didn’t panic. Instead, they responded, with an 18-4 run to make it 113-97 with 5:05 left
- “It feels like the court is shaking… it’s just so loud here.” – Williams on the OKC Game 5 atmosphere
It’s often said that ‘Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’
- “That was honestly the same exact game as Game 1,” JDub said. “Learning through these Finals, that’s what makes a team good.”
- The Thunder learned from their Game 1 loss – when Tyrese Haliburton gave the Pacers their only lead with 0.3 seconds left
- This time, they got a different result
And now the Thunder sit one win away from the 2025 NBA title.
2. ATTACKING THE MOMENT: JALEN WILLIAMS’ PLAYOFF RISE
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Thirteen months ago, Jalen Williams heaved a desperation 3 from beyond midcourt in hopes of saving the Thunder’s season.
It flew wide as the buzzer sounded, and Dallas’ American Airlines Center erupted in celebration.
Once tied 2-2 with the Mavs in the West Semifinals, OKC – the youngest team ever to earn a No. 1 seed – had dropped its second straight game, bringing its historic season to a screeching halt.
For Williams, the early exit was a defining moment.
- “When you look back in the summer, you’re going to know what you’re good at and what you’re not, just based on how teams guarded you,” said Williams of the Playoffs last weekend
- “That’s what I learned from Dallas… I knew what I had to work on.”
That loss didn’t just push the third-year wing to refine his game – it changed how he approached it.
- “My biggest thing is stepping into the moment,” said Williams last week. “Success or fail – and live with the results … I put a lot of work into my game, so I don’t ever want to play a game where I look back and I wasn’t aggressive.”
- Under the brightest of lights, that aggression has shined
Fitting his steady ascent to stardom, Williams has increased his point total every game in the Finals – from 17 to 19 to 26 to 27 to a career-best 40 in a crucial Game 5.
The outburst was fueled by relentless attacking, with eight of his 14 made field goals coming inside the restricted area – imposing his will while adding ‘Williams’ to the record books.
- Lightning Strikes: Only two players in Thunder history have ever scored 40+ in a Finals game – Russell Westbrook in 2012 and now Williams
- Finals Magic: In fact, JDub (24y, 63d) is the third-youngest player in the last 50 years to drop 40+ in a Finals game, joining Russ (23y, 220d) and Magic Johnson (1980: 20y, 276d)
- “This is the biggest stage,” said Chet Holmgren on Williams in the Finals. “But it doesn’t matter where he’s at – he’s special … That’s what we’ve seen all year.”
Peak Form: Williams’ 93 points over the last three outings mark the highest-scoring 3-game stretch of his career – regular season or Playoffs.
But this isn’t just a scoring surge – it’s maturity in motion.
- In the regular season, Williams posted career-highs in points (21.6), rebounds (5.3), assists (5.1) and steals (1.6) to earn his first All-Star selection
- Back in the West Semis, and again facing elimination, it was Williams who swung Game 7 against Denver with a 17-point flurry in the 2nd quarter – putting OKC up for good
- In the Finals, he’s averaging 25.8 ppg – a career-best for any Playoff series and 7+ ppg higher than his 2024 postseason average
Now, after last year’s heave fell short, Williams is one win away from hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy – but he’s not done yet.
- “I’m not surprised by his performance,” said SGA postgame. “He deserves this moment. With that being said, we have one more game to win and I know he’s not satisfied.”
3. DEFENSE & DEPTH PUTS THUNDER ONE WIN AWAY
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Stifling defense has been Oklahoma City’s calling card all season long.
- Best in the regular season (106.6 DefRtg)
- Better in the Playoffs (105.9)
- And, on Monday, the Thunder leaned on that defense to quell the latest Indiana comeback attempt
Early in the 4th quarter, the Pacers went on an 11-3 run to cut the OKC’s lead down to two points – after it had been as high as 18 in the 1st half.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault didn’t call a timeout to try to stop the momentum and try to regroup his players.
He didn’t have to. Defense has been part of his team’s DNA since October.
And in the biggest moment of their season, the Thunder showed their identity with a game-sealing 18-4 run fueled by their defense.
- In the span of 3:25, OKC forced five Indiana turnovers – all steals – and converted them into 10 points, forcing Pacers coach Rick Carlisle to spend two timeouts trying to stop the thunderstorm
- “We were very disruptive defensively,” said SGA. “Because of that, with three or four steals in a row, we were able to get out and run, get easy baskets. It always starts defensively for us.”
While the All-NBA duo of Jalen Williams and SGA combined for 71 points to lead the offense, OKC’s defense is predicated on every player on the court working as a single unit.
It begins with the starting five and continues with each member of the bench that enters the game.
Just look at the numbers – more than half of OKC’s 15 steals came from Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace, who had four apiece off the bench. The bench also contributed three of OKC’s 12 blocks on the night.
- Finals First: OKC became the first team to rack up 15+ steals and 12+ blocks in a Finals game since both stats were first tracked in ’74
- History Upon History: OKC topped the 2008 Celtics for most points off turnovers in one postseason, reaching 469 courtesy of a series-high 32 in Game 5
- Alex 🤝 Manu: Caruso passed Spurs supersub Ginobili for the most steals off the bench (42) in a single postseason
- Block Party: With OKC, blocks aren’t reserved for centers like Chet Holmgren (3 in Game 5) and Isaiah Hartenstein (1). SGA showed off his two-way game with a game-high four rejections in the win
It all adds up to another defensive gem in a season full of them for OKC. Can the Thunder find it one more time to win the title?
4. ALL-ACCESS: ON THE GROUND FOR A KEY OKC WIN
No matter where he is or what he’s doing, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander always seems to deliver.
The Kia NBA MVP has posted gaudy numbers all Finals – and not just on the stat sheet.
- Giving Back: Before dropping 38 points in Game 2, SGA signed 429 autographs – a pregame routine as pure as his midrange jumper
- Running It Back: Before Game 5, Shai was at it again, permanent marker in hand, making permanent memories for young fans – and even signing a baby
From signature routines to pregame arrivals, our all-access team captured an inside look at the Finals’ biggest stars as they prepped for a pivotal Game 5.
- Pulling Up: Suitcase in hand, Tyrese Haliburton arrived ready for business, while SGA kept it cool and confident
- Spicy P Footwork: Pascal Siakam kept things light, showing off his soccer skills, including an insane balancing act
- Shai Dialed: Meanwhile, SGA locked in, methodically workingthrough his usual pregame shooting routine
The Paycom Center was buzzing as tip-off neared, with the starting lineup introductions broadcast live on ABC, before Game 5 was underway from OKC.
- Hear The Roar: Step inside Paycom Center as Jalen Williams adds to a 4th-quarter 10-0 run with a high kiss off the glass for 37 points
- Proud Parents: Williams’ family joined the 18,203 strong inside the arena to watch their son drop 40
- “Beyond proud,” said Ronald Williams, his father. ”To see all the hard work that he’s put in over the years and have it come to fruition this early in his career. Just beyond blessed to experience that.”
- Postgame Vibes: Join the Thunder courtside as they celebrate their Game 5 win, before SGA catches up with rapper Lil Yachty
- Tunnel Vision: Leaving the arena, JDub and OKC already have their eyes on Game 6: “We just gone more … One more to lock in.”
5. UNFORGETTABLE: KEVIN GARNETT, ‘ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE’
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In his first 12 NBA seasons with the Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett established himself as one of the game’s greatest power forwards – earning 10 All-Star nods, six All-Defensive First Team selections and the 2004 Kia NBA MVP award.
Yet despite his individual dominance, one prize eluded him – an NBA championship.
That quest brought him to Boston ahead of the 2007-08 season, where he teamed up with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to guide the Celtics to their first Finals in 21 years – setting up a showdown with the rival Lakers.
With a championship within reach, holding a 3-2 lead in Game 6 at TD Garden, Garnett wouldn’t be denied. He posted a game-high 26 points and 14 rebounds in a 131-92 victory, capturing Boston’s 17th NBA title – and Garnett’s first.
After the clock struck zero, Garnett famously screamed into the rafters, “Anything is possible!” A now-iconic celebration, capturing the raw emotion of a title more than a decade in the making – exactly 17 years ago today.
But before KG’s famous words, he shared an embrace on the bench with Pierce and Allen as the clock ticked down. Later at the podium, he reflected on what made his journey — and that moment – so meaningful.
I just want to say, other than my kid being born, this has got to be the happiest day of my life right now. I’m going to be hoarse. I don’t plan on speaking for a week – or months. If you’re looking for me, personal friends, my number’s about to change…
“We said no more excuses. This is what it is … we said from Day 1, this is Paul’s team. Ray and I had no problem with that. Doc let us know that the three of us were going to have to sacrifice…
“I know it sounds old-fashioned and cliché but it’s just real talk. I thought the three of us did that. I thought we made plays for each other…
Garnett recalling embracing Pierce and Allen:
“We said this is the reason we came here. This is the reason we all got together … this is it right here. That moment right there solidified the reason why – from when we sat on that podium and talked (last July) …
“This is the reason right here – man. Man, man, man.”
