Thunder Outmuscle Pacers 120-109 in Game 5: Detailed Recap

Let's dive into Game 5 of the thrilling 2025 NBA Finals showdown between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, with both squads knotted up at 2-2. Buckle up, folks, because this one's gonna be wild!

The top-seeded Thunder (68-14) and the gritty Pacers (50-32) are squaring off in a high-stakes face-off. In a seven-game series where the teams are tied 2-2, saying Game 5 is crucial would be an understatement.

Statistically speaking, the historical odds favor the winner of Game 5 immensely; the team that emerges victorious from this scenario boasts a 23-8 record in similar situations.

In a nail-biting finish, Thunder 120, Pacers 109, the Thunder extend their championship aspirations, coming one win closer to claiming Oklahoma City's first NBA title. Jalen Williams shone like a superstar with a stunning scoring flurry, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to solidify his MVP credentials with an exceptional game on both ends of the court. A resurgent McConnell helped keep Indiana alive in Game 5 with an electrifying showing in the third quarter. However, franchise stalwart Haliburton seemed to be hobbled after a bout of leg pain, leaving questions about his status moving forward.

As the clock ticks down, it's anyone's game in a fiery 4th quarter where the Thunder maintained a narrow lead:

23.2 – Game appropriately ends on a Thunder steal, as Caruso snags the ball from Mathurin, effectively securing victory for Oklahoma City (120-109 OKC)
1:50 – Indiana challenges a call, but Siakam is ruled to have touched the ball out of bounds, leaving them with little hope of a comeback: reserves Mathurin, Sheppard, Thomas Bryant, and Johnny Furphy all enter the fray (120-107 OKC)
3:23 – McConnell reenters the game and nails one free throw, but Toppin answers with one of two free throws (118-105 OKC)

The 2025 NBA Finals are heating up! Don't miss a moment and catch all the action in Game 6, as the series shifts toward either a Pacers' victory that forces a Game 7 or an OKC championship clincher. The basketball spotlight is on Indiana and Oklahoma City; which team will seize the victory?

[1] NBA.com[4] ESPN.com[5] Sports Illustrated

Jalen Williams' stunning scoring flurry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's exceptional performance on both ends of the court helped the Oklahoma City Thunder win Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, 120-109.
The victory brings the Thunder one win closer to claiming Oklahoma City's first NBA title, prolonging their championship aspirations.
In the closely contested 4th quarter, the Thunder maintained a narrow lead, with a crucial steal by Caruso in the final seconds securing the win (120-109 OKC).
With Game 6 on the horizon, both teams are facing crucial games as the series moves towards either a Pacers' victory that forces a Game 7 or an OKC championship clincher.