The Oklahoma City Thunder are now one win away from claiming their first NBA championship.

In Game 5 on Monday night (June 16), Jalen Williams scored a career-playoff-high 40 points, including going 3-5 for long distance, to lead the Thunder over the Indiana Pacers in a 120-109 win. With his scoring barrage, Williams became the third youngest player in NBA Finals history to score 40 or more points, joining Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook in the exclusive club.

League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also played a great game, contributing 31 points, 10 assists, and four blocks.

For most of the game, OKC was in control and had a double-digit lead for much of the contest. But in the fourth quarter, the Pacers made another one of their signature comebacks and cut an 18-point first-half deficit to just two points. This time, the Thunder held on for the victory and now have a significant advantage in the highly competitive series.

After his big night, Williams spoke about the importance of getting the win and how he was already focusing on Game 6.

“We won the game, so that was cool,” Williams said. “I won’t have much of a reaction until we handle business. … Every time you play in the finals, it’s the biggest game of your life.”

“I’d be lying if I said I could’ve envisioned doing what I did tonight,” he added.

Gilgeous-Alexander described Williams' performance as "gutsy” and noted how his partner made every timely shot to keep the Pacers at bay in the second half.

"It felt like every time we needed a shot, he made it," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "He wasn't afraid. He was fearless tonight."For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam scored 28 points and T.J. McConnell added 18. McConnell’s enormous third quarter helped to bring the Pacers within striking distance.

"It kind of went away from us," Siakam said. "But the fight was there."

Tyrese Haliburton played his worst game of his playoff career with no field goals, managing to score just four points. His play was extremely limited after he aggravated a nagging leg issue in the first quarter.

"He's not 100%," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's pretty clear. We were concerned at halftime, and he insisted on playing. I thought he made a lot of good things happen in the second half.”

According to Haliburtion, missing a game is not in the cards.

"I mean, it's the NBA Finals. It's the Finals, man. I've worked my whole life to be here, and I want to be out there to compete, help my teammates any way I can,” Haliburton said. “I was not great tonight by any means, but it's not really a thought of mine to not play here. If I can walk, then I want to play. They understand that."

The Thunder will look to close out the Pacers in Game 6 in Indianapolis on Thursday, June 19.