The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of claiming the NBA championship, following a convincing 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals held Monday at Paycom Center. With this win, the Thunder now leads the series 3-2 after narrowly avoiding a 3-1 deficit in Game 4.
As expected, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league MVP, delivered an impressive performance, contributing 31 points, 10 assists, four blocks, and two steals. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams emerged as a formidable scoring threat, adding 40 points along with six rebounds and four assists.
In contrast, Indiana’s star guard, Tyrese Haliburton, struggled throughout due to a calf injury. He managed to score only four points while failing to make any shots from the field (0-of-6) or from three-point range (0-of-4). Other Pacers players, including Pascal Siakam with 28 points and T.J. McConnell, who contributed 18 points, did their best to step up, but Haliburton’s difficulties proved detrimental for the team’s chances.
Reactions on social media reflected concern regarding Haliburton’s performance and health as the playoffs progress. The stakes were high as the series was knotted at two games each before Monday’s matchup, with Oklahoma City gaining momentum after the Pacers let a crucial Game 4 slip away.
A strong start was crucial for the Pacers, yet they quickly fell behind, facing a 14-point deficit at halftime. Indiana struggled with ball protection, tallying seven turnovers in the first quarter, while Haliburton struggled to assert himself, ultimately exiting to the locker room briefly before returning, visibly hindered by his injury.
The Thunder capitalized on Haliburton’s issues, extending their lead with contributions from bench players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who brought effective shooting to the mix. However, the Pacers, known for their resilience, mounted a comeback in the third quarter. McConnell spearheaded this rally, decisively driving to the basket and creating opportunities for himself and his teammates.
WithSiakam hitting critical three-pointers and driving to the basket, the Pacers closed the gap significantly, narrowing an 18-point deficit to just two heading into the final stretch. Despite their valiant efforts, the Pacers could not secure a miraculous comeback, leaving their season in peril.