In Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, Gilgeous-Alexander had a stellar 31 points and 10 assists. But forward Jalen Williams dropped 40 points on 14-of-25 shooting from the field to ensure a 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers and a 3-2 series lead.

Jalen Williams scores 40 points in a masterful performance as OKC moves within 1 win of its 1st NBA championship.

Williams’s meteoric rise includes “unbelievable performance” in each round of the postseason as Oklahoma City takes 3–2 NBA Finals lead on Indiana.

Williams said he doesn’t worry about whether shots go in because his confidence comes from his complete game. He’s a willing passer and a second-team All-Defense selection.

Why Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault is entering Game 5 of the NBA Finals with a unique approach against the Pacers. For Daigneault, that’s no recipe for sustained success, especially on the biggest stage — the NBA Finals — with an opportunity to push the Pacers to the brink of elimination in Game 5.

When the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, the franchise needed a new identity, but OKC Thunder wasn't always the front-runner.