Thunder Edge Closer to Championship after Foiling Pacers' Comeback

Indiana’s comeback attempt came up short this time around.

On Monday night, the Indiana Pacers trimmed an 18-point first-half deficit to just two points in the fourth quarter. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder maintained their composure and clinched a 120-109 victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

With this win, the Thunder have seized a 3-2 series lead, putting them on the brink of winning their first NBA title since relocating to Oklahoma City. A major contributor to their success was Jalen Williams.

The third-year forward delivered an outstanding performance, netting a playoff career-high of 40 points, along with six rebounds, four assists, and a steal, steering Oklahoma City to another hard-fought Finals victory. Teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also shone brightly, adding 31 points, 10 assists, and four blocks to the team’s triumph.

Williams has been on a scoring streak, registering at least 26 points in three consecutive games. His crucial shots on Monday night continuously disrupted the Pacers’ challenges to seize control of the game.

The game-highlight shot was a 3-pointer Williams sank with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter. Pascal Siakam had just reduced Oklahoma City’s lead to 95-93, conjuring memories of the Thunder’s Game 1 collapse, which propelled the Pacers to a surprising 1-0 series lead.

Williams didn’t shy away. He boldly drove to the hoop but missed a tough layup among defenders. Cason Wallace snagged the offensive rebound, and soon the ball was back in Williams’s hands on the right wing. He nailed the 3-pointer this time, extending Oklahoma City’s lead.

Following a Cason Wallace steal and layup, the Thunder increased their advantage to 100-97, compelling Indiana to call a timeout. From this point, the Pacers were unable to regain momentum, particularly on a night when star guard Tyrese Haliburton was hindered by an injured right calf.

Haliburton struggled throughout the first quarter, missing his only two attempted shots. He momentarily left for the locker room after a scoreless first quarter and returned with his right calf wrapped.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported at halftime that Haliburton was experiencing calf tightness. Despite returning to the game, Haliburton was far from his best. He ended the first half scoreless after missing all five field goals. It wasn’t until 7:07 remained in the third quarter that he scored his initial points from free throws.

Haliburton’s night ended with four points, seven rebounds, and six assists, yet he was 0 for 6 from the floor and attempted just one field goal after the break. His status will be pivotal as the series heads to Indiana for Game 6, with the Pacers aiming to force a Game 7 showdown.

With Haliburton’s performance lacking, T.J. McConnell spearheaded Indiana’s rally in the third quarter. The backup guard, who consistently energizes the Pacers, ignited yet another charge, narrowing the Thunder’s 14-point halftime lead to 85-79 by the end of the quarter.

McConnell contributed 13 points in Indiana’s 34-point third quarter, along with five assists, shifting the pressure back on the Thunder, who controlled the first half. The Paycom Center crowd grew anxious, recalling the Thunder’s blown 15-point fourth-quarter lead in their Game 1 loss.

Williams provided the Thunder with relief just before the third quarter concluded, battling through contact from Andrew Nembhard to bank a difficult floater, maintaining an 87-79 lead into the final period.

Pascal Siakam then took charge at the start of the fourth, scoring 12 of Indiana’s first 14 points, cutting Oklahoma City’s lead to two. Yet, the Thunder remained resolute, finishing the game with a strong push to diminish any prospects of another Indiana comeback.

Off the bench, McConnell ended with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, delivering yet another impactful performance for Indiana. Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks, though his six turnovers painted a clearer picture of the game’s outcome.