At halftime of Game 5, the score stands at Thunder 59, Pacers 45. Despite their reputation as a formidable offensive squad, Indiana struggled in the first half, making just 15 of 45 shots from the field, or 33.3%. Their three-point shooting was only marginally better at 31.3%, with 5 for 16 success, and they converted 71.4% of their free throws, hitting 10 of 14 attempts. Compounding their issues, the Pacers committed 10 turnovers, resulting in 15 points for Oklahoma City, while Indiana failed to capitalize on any Thunder mistakes.
Defensively, the Thunder showcased their strength, significantly improving their offensive rhythm compared to previous games in this series. They recorded 16 assists on 20 successful field goals and demonstrated effective shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 8 of 17 three-point attempts. This contrasts sharply with Game 4, where the Thunder managed only 11 assists on 37 made field goals and shot 3 for 16 from three-point territory.
Chet Holmgren, despite a shooting line of 3 for 10, contributed effectively to the game. Jalen Williams led all scorers with an impressive 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting alongside three rebounds, three assists, and a steal within just 16 minutes of play.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 13 points on 3-for-6 shooting, with seven free throws successfully made from seven attempts, two rebounds, and five assists in 18 minutes.
Looking to the second half, Tyrese Haliburton’s performance is under scrutiny. He struggled to find his rhythm, going scoreless in the first half, missing all five of his attempts across 17 minutes, while tallying two assists, one turnover, and a minus-16 rating on the court. The Pacers have noted he is experiencing tightness in his right calf, which Indiana referred to as “lower leg tightness.” The matchup against Lu Dort has posed challenges for Haliburton, but he will need to improve to help his team.
On a lighter note for the Pacers, they managed to reduce their turnovers in the second quarter, committing just four, an improvement from the seven in the first quarter. For Indiana to mount a comeback, they must continue to protect the basketball effectively and limit the Thunder’s penetration in the paint while avoiding defensive rotations that could lead to open shots.