The Indiana Pacers’ championship hopes are one loss from extinction after they lost 120-109 in Game 5 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 16 at the Paycom Center.
Oklahoma City seized a crucial 3-2 NBA Finals lead.
History offers minimal solace: Teams winning Game 5 after a 2-2 Finals split claim the title 74% of the time (23-8).
The Thunder’s formidable 10-2 home playoff record, featuring wins with an average of 25 points, deepens Indiana’s challenge. The Pacers trail in a series for the first time this postseason.
“We fought. We just didn’t make enough plays down the stretch,” Pacers guard T.J. McConnell said. “We know what we’re capable of at home. We’ve got to protect home court now.”
Indiana stayed within striking distance, trailing by eight entering the fourth quarter. Yet Oklahoma City’s cohesion and relentless defense prevailed.
The Thunder made an NBA Finals record 15 steals and 12 blocks, the first such performance since the league tracked both stats in 1973.
Jalen Williams dominated for OKC, detonating for a playoff career-high 40 points. The 24-year-old became the fifth-youngest player to score 40+ in a finals game.
“Just trying to be aggressive,” Williams said. “My teammates did a great job finding me, and the shots were falling. But it was our defense that set the tone.”
His co-star, league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, delivered a historic all-around performance: 31 points, 10 assists (matching his playoff high) and four blocks.
He’s the first player since 1973 with 30+ points, 10+ assists, and 4+ blocks in a finals game.
For Indiana, Pascal Siakam provided consistent poise with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks — the first Finals line since Kevin Durant in 2017. McConnell ignited the bench with 18 points in 22 minutes, including 13 in the third quarter. Obi Toppin (12 points) found his spots effectively.
However, All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton endured a nightmare, failing to make a field goal (0-6 FG, 0-4 3PT) in 34 minutes.
He briefly exited in the first half, appearing to aggravate a right leg injury, but returned.
“I felt a tweak in the first half, but I was going to play through it,” Haliburton said. “I have to be better. No excuses. We’re going home, and we have to win.”
Thunder’s Alex Caruso (four steals) anchored OKC’s defensive havoc. Lu Dort (9 points, eight rebounds), Aaron Wiggins (14 points), and Cason Wallace (11 points) provided vital support.
The Pacers face elimination in Game 6 on June 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more NBA Finals coverage, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
