NBA Finals Game 5 updates: Pacers vs. Thunder predictions, time, where to watch
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing
USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sports Pulse
A classic, back-and-forth NBA Finals returns to Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will aim to do something neither team has been able to do in the series: Win consecutive games.
The Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, had the weekend to stew over the missed opportunity they had to take a 3-1 series lead at home. The Pacers held the lead for much of Friday's Game 4, only to allow the Thunder to prevail 111-104 thanks to a fourth-quarter surge.
Oklahoma City was able to even the series heading back home thanks to league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter of the Thunder's Game 4 win.
It all adds up to a crucial Game 5. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along.
What time is Thunder vs. Pacers game today?
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 5
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
8:30 p.m. ET Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) TV: ABC
ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV
Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo
There was only one day of rest between Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals — the only time in the series with that quick of a turnaround. Initially, that might not seem significant, but at this stage of the playoffs, a short rest can feed fatigue and give an edge to the better conditioned team.
Both coaches reflected on how their teams have been using the additional day before Game 5.
'At this point, the extra time allows extra analysis,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. 'So we spent a lot of time looking at the previous game, and many cases, looking at other games that were previous. Sometimes you look at stuff during the regular season, et cetera, et cetera.
'But I don't think there's a big difference between how much film we're looking at with a two-day break as there is a one-day break. I think every coaching staff in the NBA is going to be on top of it as best they can, they are going to look at everything, and try not to overanalyze.'
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was a little more coy about his team's approach.
'I do twice as much parenting,' he said, 'not twice as much work.' — Lorenzo Reyes
first five of Game 5. pic.twitter.com/xTXIhRVG37 — Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 17, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton, G
Andrew Nembhard, G
Aaron Nesmith, F
Pascal Siakam, F
Myles Turner, C
Our 5️⃣ for Game 5 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/QS3LrXwqZE — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 17, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G
Lu Dort, G
Jalen Williams, F
Chet Holmgren, F
Isaiah Hartenstein, C
Jarace Walker is out with a right ankle sprain, according to the latest injury report on Monday, June 16.
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took exception Sunday to the criticism being levied at officiating during the NBA Finals, specifically the rebukes against Scott Foster.
'I think it's awful some of the things I've seen about officiating, and Scott Foster in particular,' Carlisle said Sunday, June 15. 'I've known Scott Foster for 30 years. He is a great official. He has done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times. The ridiculous scrutiny that is being thrown out there is terrible and unfair and unjust and stupid.'
Many Pacers and NBA fans had taken to social media to criticize Foster for his performance Friday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, an eventual 111-104 Oklahoma City Thunder victory that evened the series at 2-2. — Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes
The NBA's 3-point shot has enemies. Too many 3s, they say. The shot is ruining the game, they say.
And those critics of the 3-point shot found ammunition in the Eastern Conference semifinals of this season's playoffs when the Boston Celtics attempted 60 3-pointers and missed 45 against the New York Knicks. The guffawing ignored the fact that Boston's 3-point shooting was instrumental in its 2023-24 championship season and in its 61-21 record this season.
Regardless of your aesthetic view of how basketball should be played and what it should look like, the 3-point shot has turned divisive but remains vital to winning championships. USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt takes a deeper look at this divisive shot.
The NBA Finals TV ratings discussion is a classic struggle between the optimist and the pessimist.
One headline: "NBA Finals have been most-watched programs since first week of May.'
Another headline: 'NBA Finals ratings down 24%.'
Two things can be true in this season's Finals between 'small-market' Indiana and Oklahoma City.
Yes, ratings are down from last season's Finals between Boston and Dallas, and yes, the Thunder-Pacers Finals have brought in millions of viewers, including a peak of 11.54 million at 11 p.m. ET of Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11.
Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the TV ratings for the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers needed Game 4. They had Game 4. At least it looked that way for three quarters. Felt like Indiana was headed for a 3-1 series lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Felt like Indiana was in control. And they were. Until they were not. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt looks at the Pacers' Game 4 loss.
If the NBA Finals matchup of the league's 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA's owners intentionally brought on themselves.
While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties.
Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we've seen in our lifetimes. — Dan Wolken Read Wolken's full column here.
Where is Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to take a 3-2 lead in the series vs. the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Monday, June 16):
Spread : Thunder (-9.5)
: Thunder (-9.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340)
: Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340) Over/under: 224.5
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 5 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Monday, June 16).
Series winner: Thunder (-625); Pacers (+450)
USA TODAY: Most pick Thunder in Game 5
Scooby Axson: Thunder 121, Pacers 116
Thunder 121, Pacers 116 Jordan Mendoza : Thunder 112, Pacers 106
: Thunder 112, Pacers 106 Lorenzo Reyes : Pacers 121, Thunder 106
: Pacers 121, Thunder 106 Heather Tucker : Thunder 131, Pacers 118
: Thunder 131, Pacers 118 James Williams : Pacers 110, Thunder 107
: Pacers 110, Thunder 107 Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 115, Pacers 105
USA TODAY: Every expert picked the Thunder
Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA TODAY Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals
Scooby Axson: Thunder in five
Thunder in five Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Heather Tucker: Thunder in five
Thunder in five James Williams: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC.
Game 5 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
ABC is set to broadcast the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers starting lineups introductions ahead of Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals for the first time since 2013, ESPN reported on Monday.
All times Eastern; *-if necessary
(Series tied 2-2)
Eastern Conference finals
No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2
Western Conference finals
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1
NBA Finals
No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (Series tied 2-2)
Official assignments are announced at 9 a.m. on the day of the game. Here are the referees assigned to Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Monday.
John Goble (ninth Finals, officiated Game 1)
Marc Davis (14th Finals, officiated Game 1)
James Williams (fifth Finals, officiated Game 2)
Odds via BetMGM on Monday, June 16.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-600)
Pascal Siakam (+800)
Tyrese Haliburton (+900)
Jalen Williams (+3500)
Alex Caruso (+15000)
Chet Holmgren (+30000)
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. They have not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.
The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025).
Dort averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 71 games (all starts) this season. Dort is averaging slightly lower than his regular-season stats in the 2025 NBA Finals, averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists through four games.
5️⃣ checking in for Game 5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/GVs1Zd1ucf — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 16, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were unanimous selections from a panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA and voted on the squad. View the complete list.
Here's a look at the winners over the past 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit NBA.com.
2023-24 — Boston Celtics
2022-23 — Denver Nuggets
2021-22 — Golden State Warriors
2020-21 — Milwaukee Bucks
2019-20 — Los Angeles Lakers
2018-19 — Toronto Raptors
2017-18 — Golden State Warriors
2016-17 — Golden State Warriors
2015-16 — Cleveland Cavaliers
2014-15 — Golden State Warriors
2013-14 — San Antonio Spurs
2012-13 — Miami Heat
2011-12 — Miami Heat
2010-11 — Dallas Mavericks
2009-10 — Los Angeles Lakers
2008-09 — Los Angeles Lakers
2007-08 — Boston Celtics
2006-07 — San Antonio Spurs
2005-06 — Miami Heat
2004-05 — San Antonio Spurs
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Atlanta Dream vs. Las Vegas Aces FREE LIVE STREAM (8/19/25)
The Atlanta Dream face the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025 (8/19/25) in a regular season WNBA game at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Streaming platform Free trial Monthly price Discount DIRECTV Yes $89.99 $35 off your first month fuboTV No $84.99 $30 off your first month How to watch Here are your best options to watch the game if you don't already have cable: Watch for free with a trial of DIRECTV. You can also watch with a subscription to fuboTV, which offers $30 off your first month of Pro and Elite plans. Here's what you need to know: What: WNBA regular season Who: Dream vs. Aces When: Aug. 19, 2025 (8/19/25) Time: 10 p.m. ET Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena TV: NBA TV Live stream: DIRECTV (free trial), fuboTV Here's a WNBA story via the Associated Press: CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland expansion WNBA team hired Allison Howard as its team president, the franchise announced Tuesday. Howard will continue to serve as executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers, where she oversees corporate and ticket sales revenue and strategy, corporate partnership, membership sales and service, venue experience, ticket operations and youth sports programming. She will remain in this role until the end of the upcoming NBA season, while initiating and activating the operations for Cleveland WNBA. The franchise begins play in 2028. 'Allison comes to this role with an extraordinary track record of leadership in premier sports organizations and expanding the reach of women's sports. Her experience, coupled with her work ethic, will ignite connection with team members, fans and partners throughout our community,' said Nic Barlage, Rock Entertainment Group, Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Arena CEO. As team president, Howard will oversee all aspects of the franchise's business operations. This includes culture and team member development, community engagement, fan experience and the commercial operations of the organization. 'It has been energizing to feel the passion of Cleveland WNBA fans across Ohio and to see how quickly our community has already embraced our team,' she said. 'We're committed to making this team a source of pride for our city and broader region, to inspire future athletes and to create an environment where everyone belongs and feels welcome. We are building the most inclusive brand in sports. Together starts now.' Prior to joining Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Howard served as the first president of the Kansas City Current of the NWSL. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
OKC Thunder to play Trail Blazers four times before New Year's in 2025-26 season
It's August, which means the NBA has dropped its entire 2025-26 regular season schedule. It's an oasis in a desert content. Teams learned when and where they'll face their opponents ahead of the six-month campaign. The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter under the national spotlight. The NBA champions are a popular pick to repeat. They're tied for the most national television games at 34. Expect them to be the team most opponents circle in their calendar as their barometer test. Examining the Thunder's 2025-26 regular season, here is one quirky takeaway from their slate — they will play a Northwest Divisional foe four times before the calendar flips to 2026. They will play the Portland Trail Blazers four times within the first two months. The Thunder will travel to face the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, Nov. 5. They will then host Portland on Sunday, Nov. 23. Within the same month, they return to play at the Trail Blazers on Sunday, Nov. 30. Finally, the Thunder will host the Trail Blazers for their traditional New Year's Eve home game on Wednesday, Dec. 31. It's something OKC has done over the years. As both teams went in opposite directions, the Thunder have dominated the Trail Blazers over the last four years. They're on an active 16-game win streak that spans four seasons. Portland last beat OKC in April 2021. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has put up monster numbers against the rebuild squad. Now, this year's four matchups could be more exciting. The Trail Blazers hope to be competitive. They acquired Jrue Holiday and brought back Damian Lillard. While the latter will miss most of the season recovering from a torn Achilles, his return signals going for it. That said, the Thunder should still win the season series. They're the consensus best team in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are still far away from being in the same stratosphere. It should be four wins for OKC early on to pad its record.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Rick Carlisle Signs Contract Extension With Indiana Pacers After Postseason Success
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, center, celebrates after his team won Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has agreed to a multi-year contract extension that will keep him in Indianapolis. He was originally hired by the Pacers in the summer of 2021. Since then, the team has steadily improved. Their regular season win total has climbed every year since Carlisle's first, with Indiana finishing 50-32 in 2024-25. They had home court advantage in the playoffs for the first time since 2014 this past season. In the postseason, Carlisle has been excellent during his current stint with the Pacers. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals as the sixth seed in 2024, then the NBA Finals earlier this year. Having a 5-2 record in postseason series is remarkable and has changed the outlook of the franchise. 'Since his return to the Pacers in 2021, Coach Carlisle has been integral to our success, which includes leading us to consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances and our first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years,' Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said. The contract extension comes two years after Carlisle's last new deal with the Pacers. He received an extension in 2023 after steadily improving the team's fortunes via success and players development – and since then he has continued to win games. Indiana is 97-67 since their head coach last signed an extension. He is the winningest coach in the NBA portion of the Pacers franchise history with 338 victories. No other coach has more than 250 (Frank Vogel), though legendary coach Slick Leonard has 529 in total when counting ABA wins. Wins have always followed Carlisle, who is 11th all time in victories by an NBA head coach and will reach 1,000 this season. He's guided eight teams to 50+ wins in a single campaign, has a Coach of the Year honor under his belt, and has been the head man in the NBA Finals twice – including a championship with Dallas in 2011. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers meets with Tyrese Haliburton #0 in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) Getty Images Winning is priority number one for the Pacers, and Carlisle does that. The traits that have made him the right coach for the franchise in recent years go beyond that, though. His creativity, for example, often sets up his teams for success while also forcing his players to become more versatile. He, along with the play of star guard Tyrese Haliburton, has set an identity for the Pacers, something the team was lacking prior to Carlisle's arrival. They play fast, physically, and in a way that's random to their opponents but comfortable to them. Beyond the strategy, Carlisle has improved tremendously as a player development coach in recent years. He acknowledged an increasing love for one-on-one skill work with young players a few years ago, and that has continued for he and his staff even as wins kept coming for the Pacers. 'Rick has been phenomenal for me,' Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith said in 2023. He has developed tremendously and has been given more playing time with Indiana after being traded to the franchise from the Boston Celtics. He, along with Jalen Smith, Obi Toppin, Jordan Nwora, and Haliburton represent a list of young players that came to the blue and gold from other franchises and improved quickly. James Wiseman and Jay Huff hope to be next, and Carlisle will be guiding them. That doesn't even account for the likes of Andrew Nembhard, Isaiah Jackson, Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker and other Pacers draftees that have grown under the team's current coaching staff. All four of those players have important seasons coming as Indiana enters a season with lowered expectations thanks to Haliburton's injury. Having a coach who can develop those talents further while still racking up wins is exactly what the Pacers should want right now, and they added to Carlisle's deal largely because of those abilities. '(Owners) Herb Simon, the Simon family, Steven Rales, Kevin Pritchard and our players make Indiana such a special place,' Carlisle said of his new extension. 'Let's go!'
