Thunder move one win from first NBA title in 46 years after holding off Pacers
The Oklahoma City Thunder moved within one win of their first NBA championship in 46 years on Monday night, beating the Indiana Pacers 120–109 in Game 5 of the NBA finals to take a 3-2 series lead.
Jalen Williams scored a career playoff-high 40 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 10 assists as the Thunder's top two scorers carried the team to the brink of the franchise's first title since 1979. Oklahoma City pulled away in the fourth quarter after Indiana had cut an 18-point deficit to just two.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points. TJ McConnell added 18 off the bench, including 13 during a third-quarter run that helped Indiana close the gap despite limited production from Tyrese Haliburton, who was slowed by a leg injury.
A pair of Siakam free throws made it 93–89 early in the fourth quarter and a three-pointer moments later trimmed Oklahoma City's lead to 95–93. But the Thunder roared back with an 11–2 run and never allowed the Pacers to get closer.
Game 6 is Thursday night in Indianapolis. Oklahoma City are 7–3 on the road this postseason. Indiana are 9–1 at home.
Teams that win Game 5 of a finals tied 2–2 have gone on to win the series 74% of the time. A Thunder win in Game 6 would clinch the franchise's first title since the team was known as the Seattle Supersonics.
This is a developing story. More to follow.
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