A monstrous Jalen Williams puts the Thunder on the brink of the championship

Oklahoma City Thunder is one step away from their first ring since the franchise moved to the city, and much of the credit goes to Jalen Williams. The young shooting guard, in his third season in the NBA and selected for the first time for the All-Star, became the hero of the fifth game of the Finals against the Indiana Pacers of a sinking Tyrese Haliburton who did not score a single field goal in the match.

At a critical moment, with the Thunder's 18-point lead reduced to just two against the Indiana Pacers, Williams nailed a three-pointer from the right wing that changed the course of the game. From there, he led an 18-6 run that sealed the 120-109 victory and put the series 3-2 in favor of OKC.

Williams' performance was the most impressive of his career, with 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. He made 14 of his 25 shots, including 3 three-pointers, making him the third youngest player to score at least 40 points in a Finals game, only behind Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook. His impact in the fourth quarter was decisive, not only for his accuracy but also for his aggression attacking the rim. "He was fearless tonight," acknowledged his teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. "Every time we needed a basket, he delivered."

Shai also shone with 31 points, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, maintaining the MVP level that has characterized him during these playoffs. With his fifteenth game scoring at least 30 points in this postseason, only Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon have surpassed that mark in a single season since 1990. But beyond his usual prominence, this time it was Williams who stole the spotlight, establishing himself as an ideal partner in this ambitious Thunder project.

Over the last three games, Williams has averaged over 30 points and 5 rebounds, an achievement unseen in someone under 25 since Shaquille O'Neal in 1995. Additionally, alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, they have combined for 291 points in these Finals, the fourth highest total for a duo in the first five games since the merger of the NBA and the ABA. His growth is evident, especially in his ability to take on point guard duties against Indiana's defensive pressure.

On the Pacers' side, only Pascal Siakam saved the day this time with 28 points. Tough game for Haliburton with 4 points and 0 for 6 in field goals. He finished with 6 assists and a -13 with him on the floor, the worst of the starting five.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Un monstruoso Jalen Williams pone a los Thunder al borde del anillo