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Indiana’s Near Comeback Falls Short in Game 5

This time around, the Indiana Pacers’ valiant effort fell short against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who managed to secure a crucial 120-109 win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Pacers fought back from an 18-point first-half deficit and brought the game to just a two-point margin in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder remained resolute, clinching a 3-2 series lead and inching closer to their first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Stellar Performance

Jalen Williams Shines Bright

Jalen Williams emerged as a crucial player, showcasing an impressive playoff career-high of 40 points, in addition to contributing six rebounds, four assists, and a steal. His remarkable performance was instrumental in leading the Thunder to yet another hard-fought Finals victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also made significant contributions, scoring 31 points while providing 10 assists and four blocks, underscoring the duo’s importance to the team.

Jalen Williams with Another Big Finals Effort

This match marked the third consecutive game where Williams scored no less than 26 points, proving to be an unstoppable force and repeatedly denying the Pacers any chance at regaining control. His pivotal 3-pointer with 8:06 left in the fourth was crucial; it came just after a Pascal Siakam 3 had cut Oklahoma City’s lead sharply to 95-93, stirring memories of the Thunder’s collapse in Game 1.

After initially struggling with a tough layup in traffic that he missed, Williams capitalized on a second chance provided by Cason Wallace, who secured the offensive rebound. This time, from the right wing, Williams did not miss. He scored another 3-pointer, lifting Oklahoma City’s lead back to five points. A subsequent steal and layup by Wallace extended the Thunder’s lead to 100-93, prompting an Indiana timeout. From that point onward, the Pacers could not mount another challenge, particularly with star guard Tyrese Haliburton sidelined due to an injured right calf.

Tyrese Haliburton’s Struggles

Tyrese Haliburton Doesn’t Hit a Field Goal

Haliburton had a difficult night, characterized by an ineffective first quarter where he failed to convert either of his two shot attempts. Briefly exiting the game for the locker room, he re-emerged with a bandage wrapped around his right calf. Reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania indicated that Haliburton was dealing with calf tightness.

Despite his return and showing signs of movement, Haliburton could not find his rhythm. He finished the first half scoreless after missing all five of his field-goal attempts. His first points came via free throws with 7:07 left in the third quarter, but he never converted a field goal. Totaling four points, seven rebounds, and six assists, Haliburton concluded the game with a shooting line of 0 for 6, taking just one more shot after halftime. The status of his calf injury will be crucial as the series shifts to Indiana for Game 6, where the Pacers aim to push the Finals to a decisive Game 7.

T.J. McConnell and Pascal Siakam Attempt to Rally the Pacers

With Haliburton underperforming, T.J. McConnell took it upon himself to spearhead Indiana’s comeback attempt during the third quarter. The reliable backup guard consistently provided energy for the Pacers, scoring 13 of the team’s 34 points in that quarter. Under his leadership, Indiana managed to trim Oklahoma City’s 14-point halftime lead down to just six by late in the third.

Pacers Rally is Briefly Paused

Just before the fourth quarter, Williams found a way to put some distance between the two teams once more—hitting a contested floater just as the clock expired in the third, pushing the Thunder’s lead to 87-79. However, the Pacers’ momentum was briefly halted, only to be reignited at the start of the fourth as Siakam erupted for 12 of Indiana’s first 14 points, narrowing the difference to just two points. Yet, Oklahoma City would not surrender the lead again after halftime, finishing the game with a late flourish to extinguish any hopes of an Indiana victory.

Oklahoma City’s Tactical Advantage

OKC Rides Defense and 3-Point Shooting to Victory

Oklahoma City opened the game with ferocious defense, forcing a total of seven turnovers in the first quarter, resulting in a significant 32-22 lead. This defensive relentless continued into the second quarter, as the Thunder expanded their lead to 59-45 by halftime.

Unlike Game 1, where they squandered a comfortable lead, Oklahoma City turned defensive stops into offensive production, scoring an impressive 32 points from 23 Pacers turnovers while limiting their own giveaways to only 11, which resulted in just nine points for Indiana. With 24 assists on 40 field goals, the Thunder demonstrated an efficient offensive strategy; their shooting from beyond the arc was especially effective, hitting 14 of 32 attempts (43.8%).

Standout Performers

Williams (3 of 5) and Luguentz Dort (3 of 6) led the 3-point shooting for the starting lineup, while Aaron Wiggins (4 of 7 for 14 points) and Wallace (3 of 4, totaling 11 points and four steals) contributed significantly off the bench. This multifaceted assault on both offense and defense gave OKC a tangible edge.

As the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 6 on Thursday night (8:30 ET, ABC), the Pacers will strive to prevent the Thunder from celebrating a championship on their home court. All eyes will be focused on Tyrese Haliburton’s status and whether he can recover in time to bolster Indiana’s hopes in this high-stakes series.

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