Jalen Wiliams had the biggest game of his young career in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, scoring 40 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder took a 3-2 series lead. The Paycom Center was once again rocking as Williams & Co. moved within a victory of the franchise's first championship since moving to the city. It would be just fine for Thunder fans if that was the last home game the building hosts this year because it would mean OKC would have wrapped things up in Game 6 in Indianapolis. But if there is a Game 7, the biggest lock in sports is that one of the most engaged fanbases in all of sports will create a unique atmosphere.
Williams spoke about just how loud and intimidating it can get in his home gym.
"It feels like the court is shaking," he said. "It gives us that boost we need. It's just so loud here, it's like deafening."
"It feels like the court is shaking... it's just SO loud here."
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
JDub on OKC's special home atmosphere 👏🔊⛈️ pic.twitter.com/JwA3RH0qdJ
Wiliams added that it can be difficult to hear his teammates from a few feet away even if they are shouting.
Throw all of that together and it adds up to a legitimate homecourt advantage, something that's becoming increasingly rare in the NBA. Of course, having a team with the talent and cohesion that the Thunder display on the court probably has something to do with how hard it is to win there.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Jalen Williams Describes Just How Loud Thunder Fans Can Get During NBA Finals.
