The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the verge of their first NBA championship in 46 years, holding a dominant 3-2 series lead over the Indiana Pacers after a 120-109 victory as Game 5 of the NBA Finals unfolded on Monday night.
A dominant performance, highlighted by a career night from Jalen Willams, has set the stage for a potential title-clinching victory on Thursday. Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander lead the charge Jalen Williams delivered an explosive playoff career-high of 40 points, while MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the offense with 31 points and 10 assists.
This dynamic duo proved unstoppable, combining for over 70 points for the tenth time this postseason. The Thunder effectively contained a spirited comeback attempt from Indiana, positioning them to secure their first championship since 1979 in game 6, set to be played in Indianapolis.
Williams’ efficiency was a standout, converting 14 of 25 shots from the field, alongside six rebounds and four assists. His grave baskets in the late fourth quarter were critical in stumbling the Pacers’ momentum. Williams commented on their continuous development during the finals, saying, “That game mirrored Game 1 precisely. It’s through these finals that a team truly learns and improves.”
The Thunder started strong, establishing a significant 18-point lead by the end of the second quarter and maintaining a comfortable 59-45 lead at halftime, despite a rally by the Pacers. However, in a display of their characteristic postseason resilience, the Pacers mounted a fierce rally. Indiana, renowned for overcoming double-digit deficits five times throughout their playoff run, outscored the Thunder 34-28 in the third quarter. This resurgence was largely fueled by the impactful play of backup point guard T.J. McConnell.
McConnell ignited the Pacers’ offense, scoring 13 of his 18 points in just under seven minutes during the third period, successfully narrowing the deficit to five. The momentum continued into the fourth quarter as Pascal Siakam, who concluded the night with 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting, sank two free throws to bring Indiana within four. His three-pointer a minute later compact the deficit to just two points, making it 95-93.
Championship Poise steadies Oklahoma City facing a rapidly eroding lead, Oklahoma City responded with unwavering determination, showcasing true championship poise.
Gilgeous-Alexander deftly drew fouls and converted vital free throws, while Williams showcased his clutch gene, draining a critical three-pointer and a mid-range jumper to re-establish the Thunder’s lead. Essential influences also came from the bench, with Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins bringing timely baskets.
The Thunder’s win was solidified by significant contributions from their bench players, particularly Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins, who scored important baskets. This sparked a 25-14 scoring advantage for the Thunder over the subsequent seven minutes, effectively sealing the victory against Indiana. Oklahoma City’s offensive precision was evident, sinking 14 three-pointers at over 43% efficiency from beyond the arc, while committing a mere 11 turnovers. Their disruptive defense forced 23 Pacers turnovers, converting them into 32 points, and limited Indiana to a cold 11-of-30 from deep.
Williams acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by their opponents, stating, “That’s a really good team over there. Reaching the finals is no accident.”
Haliburton’s injury impacts pacers’ hopes Indiana’s aspirations took a significant hit with the apparent re-aggravation of Tyrese Haliburton’s lingering lower leg injury in the first quarter. Although he briefly left the game and returned with a calf wrap, the star point guard was largely ineffective offensively, finishing with just four points (all from free throws) and missing all six of his shot attempts. It was the first playoff half in his career where he didn’t score any points.
In spite of, contributing seven rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes, Haliburton’s hindered movement visibly impacted the Pacers’ offensive flow. The Thunder’s defense, anchored by Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Hartenstein, capitalized on this, tightening its grip and converting missed shots into valuable fast-break opportunities. With 17 fast-break points compared to Indiana’s 13, Oklahoma City led in that category.
The Pacers haven’t lost two games in a row since mid-March. This also marks the first instance in these playoffs that Indiana has trailed in a series, having previously swept Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York.
Historical Odds Favor Thunder for Game 6 Clinch
The historical precedent now heavily favors Oklahoma City, whose last NBA title dates back to 1979 when the franchise was known as the Seattle SuperSonics. When the NBA Finals are tied 2-2, the team that wins game 5 goes on to win the Championship nearly three-quarters of the time. Furthermore, teams holding a 3-2 series lead in the finals have a remarkable 40-9 all-time record in securing the title.
Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a venue where Indiana has boasted an impressive 9-1 record in the playoffs. If the Pacers win and make it to Game 7, the final game will be played in Oklahoma City on Sunday night.
