In Oklahoma City, Jalen Williams delivered a standout performance with 40 points, while MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 31, helping the Thunder secure a 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. With this win, the Thunder stands just one win away from clinching the title.
This marked the 10th occasion in which the Thunder’s stars teamed up to score over 70 points. Williams shot 14 of 24 from the field, and Gilgeous-Alexander also added 10 assists to his tally.
On the Pacers’ side, Pascal Siakam led with 28 points, attempting to help Indiana tie the series at 3-2, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday. TJ McConnell contributed 18 points, and despite facing an 18-point deficit, Indiana managed to narrow the gap to just four in the fourth quarter before the Thunder regained control.
Now, the odds seem to favor the Thunder. Historically, in the NBA Finals, the team winning Game 5 in a 2-2 series has prevailed 23 out of 31 times—74%. Additionally, teams that hold a 3-2 lead in the Finals have won 40 of 49 times, which is an 82% success rate.
Nonetheless, Game 5 presented its own challenges. The Pacers, known for their comebacks this postseason, reduced their deficit significantly despite Tyrese Haliburton struggling with leg issues that limited his effectiveness. McConnell, stepping up, managed to score 13 points in just seven minutes during a crucial stretch.
Siakam then took charge, closing the gap with free throws and a timely three-pointer that brought the score to 95-93. Historically, since the 1997 playoffs, teams with a 15-point lead in the final have held an 80-9 record. It seems the Thunder aim to increase that to 81-9 as they inch closer to victory.
