Thunder One Win Away from NBA Title After Game 5 Victory Over Pacers

OKLAHOMA CITY – June 16, 2025 – The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of their first NBA championship after defeating the Indiana Pacers 120-109 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, seizing a 3-2 series lead. Jalen Williams delivered a career playoff-high 40 points, shooting 14-of-24 from the field, while MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 10 assists to anchor the Thunder’s offense.

The Thunder’s stars combined for over 70 points for the tenth time this season, but this performance was their most crucial yet. Oklahoma City built an 18-point lead late in the second quarter, only to see the Pacers mount a spirited comeback. Indiana, known for their resilience throughout these playoffs, narrowed the deficit to just two points in the fourth quarter, fueled by Pascal Siakam’s 28 points and a surge from TJ McConnell, who scored 13 of his 18 points in a seven-minute span in the third quarter.

Despite the Pacers’ rally, the Thunder regained control in the final minutes. Oklahoma City’s defense tightened, and their depth proved decisive as they pulled away for good. “It wasn’t a perfect game at all and there’s a lot of room for growth,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “But our improvement from Game 4 to Game 5 was critical”.

Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, hampered by a leg injury aggravated in the first quarter, was limited offensively and played mostly as a decoy, further challenging the Pacers’ attack. “He’s not 100%,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle confirmed after the game.

The Thunder now head to Indiana for Game 6, scheduled for Thursday, June 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Historically, teams that win Game 5 of a Finals series tied 2-2 have gone on to win the championship 74% of the time, and teams with a 3-2 lead have clinched the title in 82% of previous cases.

Oklahoma City is just one win away from delivering the city its first NBA title, while the Pacers must win at home to force a decisive Game 7 back in Oklahoma City.