The Oklahoma City Thunder are now just one win away from hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time in franchise history.
Led by a career playoff-high 40 points from Jalen Williams and another elite performance from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 120-109 in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Monday night. The win gives OKC a 3-2 lead in the series with a chance to clinch the championship on Thursday night in Indianapolis.
While Game 5 served as a statement from Oklahoma City, the real turning point in the series may have occurred two nights earlier.
Did the Pacers Let It Slip Away in Game 4?
In retrospect, Game 4 might be where the Indiana Pacers lost this series. They had the Thunder on the ropes, leading for the majority of the contest and appearing poised to take a 3-1 series lead. But midway through the fourth quarter, OKC made several subtle yet impactful adjustments—tightening their defense, slowing the pace, and forcing Indiana into difficult late-clock possessions. That shift flipped the game, and possibly the series.
Had the Pacers held on, they would have returned to Oklahoma City with a chance to close out the Finals in Game 5. Instead, they now find themselves trailing 3-2, and history is no longer on their side.
Game 5 Recap: Williams and SGA Deliver When It Matters Most
This was a game of momentum swings. Oklahoma City jumped out to an 18-point lead late in the second quarter, only to see the Pacers chip away again, just like they’ve done all postseason. Indiana, the comeback kings of the 2025 playoffs, mounted another surge with Tyrese Haliburton visibly limited due to an aggravated leg injury.
TJ McConnell carried the Pacers in the third quarter, scoring 13 points in just under seven minutes to cut the deficit to five. Pascal Siakam then brought Indiana within two early in the fourth. It was a nail-biter for a moment.
But just as they did in Game 2, the Thunder responded with poise and firepower. Williams finished 14-of-24 from the field, showcasing a complete offensive arsenal, while Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 31 points and 10 assists. Their combined 71 points marked the 10th time this season the duo has topped 70 in a game, but none were bigger than this.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 28 points, and McConnell added 18 off the bench. But the Pacers’ 13 turnovers—many of which led to Thunder fast breaks—once again haunted them. OKC scored 25 points off turnovers, a difference-maker in a tightly contested Finals battle.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: History Favors the Thunder
With the win, the Thunder are now in the driver’s seat statistically and psychologically. Teams that win Game 5 of a tied NBA Finals series have gone on to win the title 74% of the time (23 out of 31 occasions). Even more telling, teams that take a 3-2 series lead in the Finals have won 82% of the time (40 of 49).
Simply put, Oklahoma City has momentum, star power, and now history on its side.
What’s Next
Game 6 will take place Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers will have the home crowd behind them, but the pressure is squarely on their shoulders. Can they force a Game 7 and extend their dream run? Or will the Thunder complete their historic season with the ultimate prize?
We predicted Thunder in 6—and unless Indiana can dig deep and reclaim momentum, that prediction is looking stronger than ever.
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