Oklahoma City has never been this close — one win away from capping off one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory with a much-coveted title.
On the verge of another gutsy Indiana uprising, Jalen Williams and the Thunder stayed poised, pressed forward, and showed they had learned from their collapse in the NBA Finals opener.
Williams erupted for a playoff career-high 40 points, anchoring Oklahoma City’s decisive 120-109 Game 5 dub over the Indiana Pacers and took a critical 3-2 lead on Tuesday (PH time), June 17.
JDUB 40-PIECE IN THE NBA FINALS 🤯🚨
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
Has the @okcthunder on the brink of a 3-2 lead! pic.twitter.com/1YCXGOrNLl
The 24-year-old added six rebounds, four assists, and shot 14-of-24 from the field, becoming the first player in three-time MVP Nikola Jokic in 2023 to score 40 markers in a NBA Finals game.
LATE TAKEOVER IN GAME 5 PUTS OKC ONE WIN FROM TITLE 🏆
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
JDub: 40 PTS
SGA: 31 PTS, 10 AST
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added a 31-point, 10-assist double-double on top of four blocks.
THIS CROSSOVER 😳
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
Shai slices to the rim as OKC opens up a 5-point lead in the 1st!
Behind T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin’s combined 20-point third quarter, the Pacers stormed back from an 18-point first half hole to enter the final frame trailing just 87-79.
THE T.J. AND OBI SHOW IN THE 3Q 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
5 straight buckets for the two Indy role players!!
PACERS SEEKING A 3-2 LEAD ON ABC 🏁
Pascal Siakam then carried the momentum, scoring 12 of Indiana’s first 14 points in the fourth. His three-pointer with 8:30 remaining cut the deficit to a single possession, 95-93.
SIAKAM WITH 12 PTS IN 4 MINUTES 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
He's keeping the Pacers in it midway through the 4Q!
🏆 Game 5 on ABC | Series Tied 2-2
But Oklahoma City quickly restored order with a 15-4 run, capped by a tough Jalen Williams layup that stretched the lead to 110-97 with under six minutes left in regulation.
A JALEN WILLIAMS TAKEOVER IN GAME 5 🚨
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
He's got a playoff career-high 37 points!!
Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace combined for 25 points and seven three-pointers off the bench as the Thunder once again leaned on their signature defense down the stretch.
Oklahoma City had more steals (15-9), more blocks (12-4), and forced 23 Indiana turnovers that turned into 32 points — a defensive stamp that defined their Game 5 dominance.
Game 6 is set for Friday (PH time), June 20, with the Thunder aiming to finish the job on the road in Indiana.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points in the loss, while T.J. McConnell added 18 off the bench. Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner and Obi Toppin chipped in a combined 39 points.
However, All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton struggled, finishing with just four points, seven rebounds and six assists after dealing with right lower leg tightness early in the game. He attempted only five shots and missed all four of his three-point attempts.
Tyrese Haliburton injured his right leg and went back to the locker room after this play.
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 17, 2025
He came back and returned to the game in the 2nd quarter.
Now, Indiana finds itself on the brink after once leading the series 2-1. The Pacers dropped back-to-back games for the first time since March, and must win at home in Game 6 to force a winner-take-all showdown in Oklahoma City.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
—
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]
