If you were still wondering whether this young Thunder team had the nerve to win when it matters most — well, wonder no more. Monday night at Paycom Center, they rolled the Pacers to take a 3–2 lead in the NBA Finals.

Jalen Williams turned in the kind of performance you remember years from now, dropping a playoff-career-high 40 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was his usual surgical self. And together, they carried Oklahoma City one massive step closer to something this city has never seen: an NBA title.

The final was 120–109, but that doesn’t tell the story. It was a game that got tight late — Indiana clawed within two — but the Thunder shut the door with defense, toughness, and just enough flair to send a raucous home crowd into full party mode. They’re not popping bottles yet, but with one more win, they’ll finally get the chance.

The Road to Game 5: Blowouts, Buzzer-Beaters, and Everything In Between

• Game 1 (Pacers 111, Thunder 110) – This one stung. The Thunder were up late, looking poised to defend home court, and then Tyrese Haliburton hit a cold-blooded step-back with 1.8 seconds left. Just like that, the Pacers stole Game 1 and flipped the series on its head.

• Game 2 (Thunder 123, Pacers 107) – The response was loud. Oklahoma City came out locked in from the jump and never let up. This was the kind of game Thunder fans have grown used to — swarming defense, clean offense, and Chet Holmgren swatting everything in sight. He finished with five blocks, and OKC led by double digits just about the entire game.

• Game 3 (Pacers 116, Thunder 107) – Back in Indiana, things unraveled a bit. Bennedict Mathurin played out of his mind, coming off the bench for 27 points, and Carlisle’s defensive wrinkles — especially the full-court pressure and the zone — really threw off OKC’s rhythm. SGA looked uncomfortable, and the Thunder’s offense stalled for stretches. The Pacers took the series lead again and looked like they might have figured something out.

• Game 4 (Thunder 111, Pacers 104) – This was the turning point. Down seven entering the fourth, the Thunder ripped off a 37–17 run to close it out. Alex Caruso was everywhere — poking balls loose, diving on the floor, pushing the tempo. It was one of those momentum-shifting quarters that felt bigger than just tying the series. Suddenly, the vibe had changed.

Swings, Surges, and a City on the Brink

First Quarter: Starting Gun Smoke

From the jump, OKC came out with purpose — and speed. Mark Daigneault’s been drilling the value of tempo all season long, and it showed. The Thunder blasted out to a 17–6 lead before the first TV timeout, capitalizing on four early Indiana turnovers and a couple of confident corner threes from Aaron Wiggins.

Lu Dort was in full Lu Dort mode. He picked up Haliburton just over half court, swarming him and forcing tough angles right away. Rick Carlisle burned a challenge two minutes in after Dort bodied up Andrew Nembhard on a no-call — he lost it, and the crowd let him hear it.

To make matters worse for the Pacers, Haliburton drove into the lane around the 10-minute mark of the first quarter, pulled up, and immediately grabbed at his right calf. He limped off, headed to the locker room, and didn’t return until early in the second quarter with the calf tightly wrapped. 

By the end of the quarter, OKC had a 32–22 lead and Indiana had more turnovers (7) than field goals (6).

Second Quarter: Holding the Line

Bench minutes can make or break playoff games, and OKC’s second unit came in ready to go. Cason Wallace drew a three-shot foul on T.J. McConnell, then knocked down a pair of spot-up threes that had the building buzzing. Caruso did Caruso things — hands everywhere, smart cuts, drawing charges. Hartenstein banged bodies with Myles Turner. It wasn’t glamorous, but it wore the Pacers down.

And while the bench held things down, SGA took control without even needing to score much. He dished six assists in the quarter, calmly picking apart Indiana’s defense, especially when they tried to switch or scramble.

Meanwhile, Haliburton hadn’t scored, clearly bothered by his calf and by Dort’s pressure. At halftime, the numbers told the story: OKC led 59–45. Fast break points were 12–0. Points off turnovers? 15–1.

Third Quarter: The McConnell Problem

The Pacers came out of the break with a new look. Carlisle went small and scrappy — McConnell, Nembhard, Mathurin, Siakam, Turner — and it worked. T.J. McConnell had himself a quarter, zipping around screens, poking balls loose, and dropping in floaters. He scored 13 in the third alone and gave Indiana the burst they desperately needed.

Haliburton finally got on the board with two free throws, but he still couldn’t find a rhythm. Even so, Indiana had cut the Thunder’s lead down to single digits. When Siakam threw down a smooth euro-step dunk to make it 79–71, you could feel the nerves creeping in. The crowd quieted.

Fourth Quarter: J‑Dub’s Graduation Party

If you didn’t know Jalen Williams before this game, you do now. The second-year wing stole the show. He opened the fourth by muscling Mathurin on a post-up, then immediately jumped a passing lane and finished the other way. Then came what felt like the dagger: a smooth step-back three over Obi Toppin that sent Paycom Center into orbit.

Indiana punched back. Siakam strung together a few buckets and drew an and-one that made it 95–93 with 8:30 left. Carlisle was fired up.

The next few minutes told you everything about the Thunder. SGA hit a tough pull-up. J-Dub finished at the rim. Caruso knifed in for a layup. And just like that, it was part of an 18–4 burst that slammed the door.

Behind the Numbers

• Turnover Battle: The Thunder won the turnover battle decisively, forcing 22 Indiana miscues while only committing 11 of their own. That’s a huge swing in any game, but in a Finals setting? Even more massive. OKC turned those extra opportunities into 32 points, while Indiana only managed nine off Thunder mistakes. When you're essentially spotting your opponent a 23-point edge just from turnovers, it’s hard to survive.

• Three‑Point Revival: After going 3-of-16 from deep in Game 4, OKC’s shooters came back to life in Game 5, knocking down 14-of-32 (44%) from three. Wiggins, Wallace, and Jalen Williams each had big makes early that helped open up driving lanes.

• Paint Protection: Holmgren and Hartenstein set the tone defensively in the paint. They combined for four blocks, but the real impact came in the altered shots and second thoughts they forced around the rim. Indiana still shot 51% in the restricted area, but that’s nearly 10 points below their postseason average — and you could see the frustration building every time Turner or Siakam tried to finish over length.

• Free Throws: Shai lived at the line, going 13-of-14 and using his usual blend of hesitation, footwork, and body control to draw contact. Indiana, meanwhile, couldn’t get into a rhythm, especially with Haliburton playing hurt. He attempted just two shots inside the arc all game — only one inside the free throw line. That changed how Indiana attacked and made their offense much easier to contain.

Add all that up, and despite the Pacers actually shooting a better overall percentage from the field, it was the Thunder who dictated the game. They won the possession battle, got cleaner looks, and made Indiana pay for every mistake.

Stars of the Night

Jalen Williams – 40 Points, 14‑25 FG

This was the definition of a coming-out party. Jalen Williams put on a clinic, dropping a career-best 40 points in the biggest game of his life so far. And he didn’t need a crazy volume night to get there — he shot 14-of-25 from the field and did it all within the flow of the offense.

He became the third-youngest player in the last 50 seasons to score 40 points in an NBA Finals game, putting his name in incredibly rare air. And it wasn’t just a flashy stat line in a blowout — it was a game that mattered, with the series tied 2–2 and the pressure mounting. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t force it. He just played his game, and in doing so, gave the Thunder exactly what they needed at exactly the right time.. More importantly, though, he looked like a guy who belonged — not just for a moment, but for the long haul. Dort put it perfectly after the game:

He’s an All-Star for a reason... We trust him to make some big shots, which he did tonight.

Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander – 31‑10‑4‑2

While Jalen was the highlight reel, Shai was the rock. He ran the show with poise and purpose, finishing with 31 points, 10 assists, 4 blocks, and 2 steals. When the Pacers trimmed it to two in the fourth, it was SGA who stepped into a tough mid-range jumper to settle things down. His fourth block — a volleyball-style smack of a Turner layup with just over a minute left — felt like the final word.

This was his 12th game with 30-plus and 5-plus assists this postseason. But he didn’t force anything. He controlled pace, moved defenders with his eyes, and delivered when the moment demanded it.

Pascal Siakam – 28 Points, 6 Boards, 5 Dimes

Siakam did everything he could to keep Indiana in it, especially with Haliburton hobbled. He scored 12 in the fourth, keeping the Pacers alive as the game tightened. He hit timely threes, bullied his way to the cup, and was the only consistent offensive threat the Pacers had for most of the night.

But he also turned the ball over six times — several in key spots — including one on a travel that came right as Indiana was trying to mount a final push.

T.J. McConnell – 18‑4‑4

McConnell might not be the flashiest name on the court, but he changed the tone of the game in the third. While the Thunder struggled to adjust to Indiana’s smaller, faster lineup, McConnell carved them up with floaters, mid-range jumpers, and quick defensive reads. He scored 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter alone and helped cut a once-comfortable lead down to a nail-biter.

His quick hands and relentless motor gave Indiana the edge it needed to make a game of it. For a moment, it looked like the tide might turn because of his spark. But in the end, it just wasn’t quite enough.

One Win Away, But Not Done Yet

The Thunder did what they had to do in Game 5 — they protected home court, leaned on their stars, and made all the little plays when it mattered most. But as good as this win felt, it doesn’t mean anything if they can’t close the door in Indianapolis.

Game 6 is set for Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It’ll be loud. It’ll be tense. And for the Pacers, it’s do-or-die. Expect Indiana to throw everything they’ve got at OKC, and then some.

The question hanging over everything is still Tyrese Haliburton’s calf. He was clearly limited in Game 5 and the Pacers’ offense looked out of rhythm without his usual command. Rick Carlisle says Haliburton will play, but how effective he can be is anyone’s guess.

For Oklahoma City, it’s about finishing the job. They’ve come this far by playing together, defending with grit, and trusting each other in big moments. One more of those— a nd this young group won’t just be a fun story anymore. They’ll be champions. 

All stats courtesy of NBA.com.