Jalen Williams Breaks Through As Thunder Push To The Brink Of A Title
The best players in professional sports often emerge in the most significant moments. The path to greatness is never fully lit from the start. Some flashes and moments hint at what could be. A clutch shot here, a game-changing play there. But then comes the stretch where the pressure is highest and the lights are brightest. That's where the great ones don't just walk the path, they own it. The glimpses were always there along the way, but to truly emerge, the moment needs to present itself for a superstar to step into the light.
In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Jalen Williams stepped into the light. He established himself as a superstar in this league. On the heels of an All-NBA Team selection, NBA All-Defensive Team honors, and his first NBA All-Star nod in just his third season, he's elevated his play to a level that could catapult the Oklahoma City Thunder to its first title. Williams had been great in the NBA Finals leading up to Monday night's game, but that contest is where he truly entered a new territory.
'He was, like, really gutsy tonight. He stepped into big plays. Felt like every time we needed a shot, he made it. He wasn't afraid. He was fearless tonight,' said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Williams after Game 5.
The best player on the floor in Game 5 — a contest that included the NBA's MVP — Williams poured in 40 points to push the Thunder to a commanding 3-2 lead over the Indiana Pacers. He scored from every level of the floor in an efficient manner, making incredibly difficult shots all night and seemingly at the most important times of the game. It was one of the best NBA Finals performances of this decade, especially when you consider the defensive impact he made.
'In order to get better and being good in these moments, and by no means am I perfect in these moments, you're able to generate good habits when you have the right way of going about it and you have a process,' said Williams postgame on Monday. 'I'm extremely fortunate that I have a coach and a staff and teammates that allow me to have those ugly plays during the year and figure out my game. I think right now it's paid off.'
This ascension couldn't have come at a better time. With Gilgeous-Alexander establishing himself as a bonafide face of the league over the past few seasons, there was no question he was good enough to be the top option on a championship team. For the Thunder to reach its full potential this season and win a title, it came down to someone stepping up as the secondary scorer alongside him. Williams has answered the call in a big way.
The Thunder couldn't finish the job against LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals, which was the franchise's first real shot at winning a title since relocating to OKC. From there, a devastating 3-1 comeback held the Thunder back from making another run in the 2016 NBA Finals, as Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors effectively ended another era of Oklahoma City basketball.
But in the 2025 NBA Finals, the Thunder is now one win away from achieving the ultimate prize. Up 3-2 with a chance to earn its first-ever championship, Oklahoma City will march into Indianapolis on Thursday night with a chance to make history. Not only did the Thunder have one of the greatest regular seasons of all time with 68 wins, but the team is also one of the youngest in the league. The star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26), Jalen Williams (24) and Chet Holmgren (23) is just scratching the surface of its potential, meaning this could be the beginning of a dynasty if the Thunder can earn its first title this week.
'We're focused on one thing, and that's winning one more game,' Gilgeous-Alexander said after Monday's victory.
If Oklahoma City can't find a way to win Game 6, a highly anticipated Game 7 will take place on Sunday night, with one game deciding everything. If that scenario unfolds, the Thunder will host Game 7 at Paycom Center, giving the home crowd the potential opportunity to see OKC hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Keep an eye on Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who is facing a calf injury he suffered in Game 5.
The Thunder is one win away. One win from doing something the franchise has never been able to do.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Watch: Patriots rookie makes play of the day with one-handed catch
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams connected on arguably the play of the day at Monday's training camp practice. The play came during one-on-one drills with Williams lined up against second-year cornerback Marcellas Dial. It looked like a good battle initially, but Williams found enough separation to make a one-handed grab on a beautiful corner ball thrown by Maye. Last week, Williams talked to media members about building a quick connection with Maye on the football field. That growing connection was once again evident in this play. One can only hope it's a sign of things to come for the quarterback and receiver combo. Williams flashes real speed when getting in and out of his routes. However, he also possesses the ability to finish tough catches. He could be a playmaker for a Patriots team that has lacked in that area on the offensive side of the ball for a few years now. Things might finally be looking up for the receiver position in New England. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Watch: Patriots rookie makes play of the day with one-handed catch
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ryne Sandberg dies at 65: Reaction to death of Cubs icon and Hall of Famer
Major League Baseball lost another one of its titans and Hall of Famers with the passing of Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg, who was a 10-time All-Star in his career, passed away at the age of 65 on Monday, July 28, after another battle with metastatic prostate cancer that had returned and spread to other organs in his body back in December. "Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. REQUIRED READING: Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs' All-Star second baseman, dies at 65 Added the Cubs on X (formerly Twitter): "Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise. His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career." Across his 16-year career, Sandberg built quite a resume when it came to awards, as he was a nine-time Gold Glove winner, seven-time Silver Slugger trophy winner and was named the 1984 National League Most Valuable Player. He also managed the Philadelphia Phillies, who drafted him in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft, from 2013-2015, where he posted a managerial record of 119-159. Sandberg's death has also brought in an outpouring of reactions from those on social media. Here's a snippet of those reactions: Baseball reacts to Ryne Sandberg's death The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryne Sandberg dies: Social media reaction to Hall of Famer's death
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Caminero and Rasmussen help Rays beat Yankees 4-2 in series opener
NEW YORK (AP) — Junior Caminero hit a two-run homer, Drew Rasmussen recovered from a rocky start on the mound and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-2 Monday night in the opener of a four-game series. Caminero connected against Cam Schlittler (1-1) in the first inning for his 27th home run. Josh Lowe hit a go-ahead single in the fifth to chase the rookie starter. Tampa Bay won for only the eighth time in 26 games to avoid falling under .500 for the first time since May 24. In the bottom of the first, the Yankees loaded the bases when Rasmussen (8-5) allowed consecutive one-out singles to Jasson Domínguez, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton. The right-hander then walked Jazz Chisholm Jr. and issued a free pass to Ryan McMahon two batters later, forcing in another run. But after the Yankees tied it, Rasmussen retired 12 straight and 13 of his final 14 batters. He permitted four hits and struck out five in five innings. Edwin Uceta fanned four in two perfect innings, and Pete Fairbanks got four outs for his 18th save. Yandy Díaz added a sacrifice fly in the eighth, when the Rays had two infield hits. Schlittler allowed three runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings in his third career start. The Yankees have lost eight of 12 following a five-game winning streak from July 6-11. After seeing 33 pitches in the first inning, New York managed only three baserunners. Key moments Fairbanks fanned Stanton on a high fastball with a runner on first to end the eighth. The right-hander closed it out when center fielder Jonny DeLuca made a running catch on a flyball by Austin Wells. Key stats Rasmussen has allowed two runs in 18 career innings at Yankee Stadium. … Caminero homered after going 1 for 12 last weekend in Cincinnati. Up next Yankees LHP Max Fried (11-4, 2.62 ERA), who is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in his last four starts, faces Tampa Bay RHP Joe Boyle (1-0, 1.42) on Tuesday night. ___ AP MLB:
