The Oklahoma City Thunder are a win away from having an NBA championship parade after they scored a pivotal 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder's Game 5 victory probably would not have been possible without the incredible production of the duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. The 2024-25 NBA Most Valuable Player dropped 31 points on a 9-for-21 shooting from the floor while Williams led all players in the contest with an NBA Playoff career-high of 40 points on the strength of a 14-for-25 shooting from the field.

With those performances, Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander became just the first pair of teammates in an NBA Finals game to pull off an astonishing scoring feat since LeBron James and Kyrie Irving did during their time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Jalen Williams and SGA join LeBron and Kyrie as the only teammates since 1980 to finish a Finals game with 40+ points for one and 30+ points for the other,” posted Zach Kram of ESPN on the social media platform, Bluesky.

Article Continues Below
More Thunder News
image thumbnail
Jalen Williams’ ‘Scottie Pippen vibes’ leave Kendrick Perkins in aweZachary Weinberger ·
Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) and head coach Mark Daigneault during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game five of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center
Mark Daigneault sends honest message to Thunder before Game 6Josue Pavon ·
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) walks back to the team bench in the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game five of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Tyrese Haliburton’s calf injury update puts Game 6 status in doubtScotty White ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving gives ‘prototype’ praise to Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderBurtland Dixon ·
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the third quarter in game five of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Thunder draw ’90s Bulls comparison from Doc RiversJulian Ojeda ·
Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6 Results According to NBA 2K25
Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6 Results according to NBA 2K25Massimo Marchiano ·

Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander took turns in pummeling Indiana, which didn't have its biggest star performing up to par. Tyrese Haliburton had a nightmarish night with his shot, as he missed all six of his attempts from the field while finishing with just four points, all from the foul line.

The Pacers had a spirited run in the fourth quarter, where they reduced an 18-point deficit down to a four-point disadvantage, but unlike in the series opener, Oklahoma City extinguished Indiana's comeback attempt and made great plays on both ends of the floor to avoid a complete collapse and secure a win.

Game 5 was another reminder as well that the Thunder are more than just about Gilgeous-Alexander, with Williams doing most of the heavy lifting offensively. Meanwhile, Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace provided 25 points and seven 3-pointers together for the Thunder, who can close out the series and raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy as soon as Game 6 on Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana.

Through five games in the 2025 NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder with an average of 32.4 points on a 47.5 field goal percentage, while Williams is right behind him with 25.8 points per outing on a 44.7 success rate from the floor.