Thunder move within win of NBA championship after Game 5 win over Pacers
Share this @internewscast.com

OKLAHOMA CITY — Jalen Williams achieved a career playoff-high 40 points, with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributing 31 as the Oklahoma City Thunder moved to within one win of the title by defeating the Indiana Pacers 120-109 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night.

This marked the 10th — and most significant — occasion on which the Thunder stars combined for over 70 points in a game. Williams shot 14 of 24 from the field, while Gilgeous-Alexander also provided 10 assists.

Pascal Siakam scored 28 points for Indiana, which now trails the series 3-2 and will host Game 6 on Thursday night. TJ McConnell contributed 18 for the Pacers, who reduced an 18-point gap to four in the fourth quarter before watching the Thunder regain and maintain their lead.

And now, everything favors the Thunder.

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%.

But Game 5 was not easy. Far from it.

Down by as many as 18 late in the second quarter, the Pacers — the comeback kings of these playoffs, with as many wins in this postseason from 15 points down or more (five) than the rest of the league has combined, including in Game 1 of this series — did what they do, chipping away. And they did it with Tyrese Haliburton reduced to basically playing decoy on offense because of a leg issue that he aggravated in the first quarter.

Led by McConnell, who scored 13 points in just under seven minutes of the third, the Pacers got within five late in that quarter.

Then, Siakam went to work — a pair of free throws with 9:19 left got Indiana within four, then a 3-pointer about a minute later made it 95-93. In the play-by-play era of the NBA, starting with the 1997 playoffs, teams with leads of 15 points or more in the finals were 80-9.

Make that 81-9 now, and the Thunder are one win away.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
‘Chainsaw Man’ anime film topples Springsteen biopic and ‘Black Phone 2’ at the box office

‘Chainsaw Man’ Movie Surpasses Springsteen Biopic and ‘Black Phone 2’ in Box Office Success

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The cinematic rendition of the beloved anime “Chainsaw…
High school coach, wife ID’d as victims killed in crash tied to illegal alien trucker released by Biden admin

Tragic Loss: High School Coach and Wife Killed in Crash Involving Released Illegal Alien Trucker

Two of the three individuals tragically killed in a devastating semi-truck collision…
Our Chicago: llinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation fostering the next generation of Latino leaders

Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation Paves Path for Future Latino Leaders in Chicago

The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation was established in 2002 by a…
Trump pick for religious freedom envoy visits Holy Land, cites strong US-Israel bond

Trump’s Religious Freedom Envoy Highlights Robust US-Israel Ties During Holy Land Visit

During his recent visit to Israel, Ambassador-Designate for International Religious Freedom, Mark…
Dems Cry ‘Voter Intimidation’ as DOJ Deploys Election Monitors to CA, NJ

DOJ Sends Election Monitors to California and New Jersey Amidst Voter Intimidation Concerns

The Department of Justice revealed on Friday its plan to deploy election…

New York Giants’ Cam Skattebo Leaves Game Due to Ankle Injury

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a devastating turn of events for the New…
3 Chinese nationals arrested in Georgia for trying to buy $400K worth of black-market uranium

Three Chinese Nationals Detained in Georgia for Alleged $400K Black-Market Uranium Purchase Attempt

In a significant move against nuclear smuggling, Georgian authorities have reportedly foiled…
Milei scores historic win in Argentina midterms, tightens grip on Congress

Milei Achieves Landmark Victory in Argentina Midterms, Strengthens Congressional Influence

In a significant political shift, Argentine President Javier Milei achieved a commanding…
Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau spotted holding hands in Paris

Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau Seen Holding Hands in Paris

In a romantic twist that has captivated the public’s attention, pop sensation…
Zohran Mamdani's incoherent education policies will destroy NYC's fragile progress

Zohran Mamdani’s Education Policies Could Impact NYC’s Recent Advances, Experts Warn

For over two decades, New York City’s educational framework has been based…
Making daylight saving time permanent: Where all 50 states stand

Daylight Saving Time: A State-by-State Guide to Permanent Adoption Plans

Is it finally the right moment to abandon the semi-annual clock change?…
The Latest: What’s in store for the AP Top 25

Breaking Down the Future of the AP Top 25 Rankings

Anticipate minimal changes at the peak of the AP Top 25 rankings,…