OKC Closes in on History as Jalen Williams Drops 40 in Game 5 Stunner
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one game away from claiming their first NBA championship following Monday’s home win 120-109.
Jalen Williams scored a career playoff-high 40 points, while MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 in the victory.
Pascal Siakam had 28 points for Indiana, which now trails the series 3-2 and will host Game 6 on Thursday night. TJ McConnell added 18 for the Pacers, who cut an 18-point deficit down to two in the fourth — then watched the Thunder pull away again, and for good.
While the Thunder have been favorites in every game this series, a game 5 victory for either team is big. Teams that win Game 5 of an NBA Finals that was tied at 2-2 have gone on to win the series 23 times in 31 previous opportunities, or 74%. And teams with a 3-2 lead in the finals have won 40 times in 49 previous opportunities, or 82%.
The series now shifts back to Indianapolis for Game 6 where the Pacers will look to fight another day.
