NBA Finals: Thunder Beat Pacers And One Win Away From Clinching C'ship

Game 5 was starting to look like Game 1 all over again. Oklahoma City, at home, takes a huge lead. Indiana comes roaring back in the fourth quarter. Indiana won that one. This time, the Thunder crafted a different ending 바카라� and a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals was their reward. Jalen Williams scored a career playoff-high 40 points, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 and the Thunder moved one win from a title by beating the Pacers 120-109 on Monday night. It was the 10th 바카라� and by far, the biggest 바카라� time the Thunder stars combined for more than 70 points in a game. Williams was 14 of 24 from the field, and Gilgeous-Alexander added 10 assists. Teams that win Game 5 of an NBA Finals that was tied at 2-2 have gone on to win the series 23 times in 31 previous opportunities, or 74%. And teams with a 3-2 lead in the finals have won 40 times in 49 previous opportunities, or 82%.

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Updated on: 17 June 2025 9:31 pm

NBA Finals game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Nate Billings

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander does up to score against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers: Alex Caruso

NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Kyle Phillips

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) celebrates during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Indiana Pacers in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers: Aaron Wiggins

NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Nate Billings

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) shoots past Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers: Myles Turner

NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Nate Billings

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) battles Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) for the rebound during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Nate Billings

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) dive for the loose ball as Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) pursues during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers: Pascal Siakam

NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Kyle Phillips

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, top, dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Nate Billings

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, left, and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, center, battle for the rebound during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers: Tyrese Haliburton

NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Kyle Phillips

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) defends during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers: Andrew Nembhard

NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Nate Billings

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, right, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander battle for the ball during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, in Oklahoma City.

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NBA Finals, Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana pacers | Photo: AP/Nate Billings

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) drives as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort defends during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Oklahoma City.