The Oklahoma City Thunder are now just one win from making franchise history.

Behind a career playoff-high 40 points from Jalen Williams and another stellar performance from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder held off a late surge from the Indiana Pacers to win 120–109 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. The victory puts Oklahoma City up 3–2 in the best-of-seven series — just one win away from their first NBA championship since 1979, when the franchise was still the Seattle Supersonics.

“This was just like Game 1 all over again,” Williams said after the game. “Learning through these Finals — that’s what makes a team great.”

Williams, SGA Shine Again

Williams shot 14-of-25 from the field, adding six rebounds and four assists. He hit multiple clutch shots down the stretch to fend off Indiana’s fourth-quarter push. Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 10 assists, marking the 10th time this postseason the Thunder duo has combined for over 70 points in a game.

Rookies Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins chipped in with timely buckets off the bench, helping Oklahoma City regain control after their lead briefly shrank to just two points.

Thunder Weather Pacers’ Gritty Comeback

The Thunder looked dominant early, building an 18-point lead late in the second quarter and taking a 59–45 lead into halftime. But Indiana, known for comebacks all postseason long, wouldn’t go quietly.

Backup guard TJ McConnell ignited the Pacers in the third quarter, scoring 13 of his 18 points in a span of just seven minutes. Pascal Siakam (28 points on 9-of-15 shooting) drilled a three-pointer early in the fourth to make it a 95–93 game.

But Oklahoma City responded like a team ready for a title. Gilgeous-Alexander attacked the rim, drawing fouls and sinking key free throws, while Williams hit a three and a mid-range jumper to stretch the lead. The Thunder then outscored Indiana 25–14 over a seven-minute stretch to seal the win.

Defense and Efficiency Win the Day

The Thunder shot 43% from three (14 made threes) and committed just 11 turnovers. Their defense forced 23 Pacers turnovers, turning them into 32 points, and held Indiana to just 11-of-30 shooting from beyond the arc.

OKC’s fast-break offense was sharp, outpacing Indiana 17–13 in transition points. And the defensive trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Hartenstein made life difficult for Indiana all night — especially for their star guard.

Haliburton Hobbled

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton appeared to aggravate a lingering lower leg injury early in the game. Though he returned with his calf heavily wrapped, he was clearly limited — finishing with just four points (all from the line) and missing all six of his field goal attempts. It marked the first time in his playoff career that he was held scoreless in a half.

Still, Haliburton remained on the floor for 34 minutes, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing six assists.

“It’s the Finals,” he said. “I’ve worked my whole life to be here. If I can walk, I want to play.”

Historic Stakes for Game 6

Indiana now faces its first series deficit of the postseason after previously dispatching Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York without ever trailing.

The Thunder, meanwhile, are eyeing a moment 46 years in the making. Their lone title came in 1979, when the franchise was based in Seattle. Since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, they’ve come close — but never closed the deal.

Historically, teams that win Game 5 in a tied NBA Finals go on to win the title 74% of the time. And teams with a 3–2 lead in the Finals are 40–9 all-time.

What’s Next?

Game 6 tips off Thursday, June 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis. If needed, Game 7 will be held Sunday, June 22 in Oklahoma City at 8 p.m. ET.

Finals Schedule (All times ET)

• Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110 – Thu, June 5
• Game 2: Thunder 123, Pacers 107 – Sun, June 8
• Game 3: Pacers 116, Thunder 107 – Wed, June 11
• Game 4: Thunder 111, Pacers 104 – Fri, June 13
• Game 5: Thunder 120, Pacers 109 – Mon, June 16
• Game 6: Thunder at Pacers – Thu, June 19, 8:30 p.m.
• Game 7: Pacers at Thunder – Sun, June 22, 8:00 p.m. (if necessary)

How to Watch

US: All games air on ABC. You can also stream on ABC.com or the ABC app (with a TV provider login), and services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Sling TV (via ESPN3).

UK: Tune in on TNT Sports and Discovery+, or stream live on NBA League Pass with no blackout restrictions.

Australia: Watch live on ESPN Australia, or stream via Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, and NBA League Pass.

Source: Yahoo Sports – Thunder move one win from franchise’s first NBA title in 46 years after holding off Pacers

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Luka Dončić, celebrated for his offensive prowess, faced a defensive low point in Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz. Despite delivering another stellar performance offensively, his lapse on defense in a critical moment overshadowed his efforts, ultimately contributing to the Dallas Mavericks’ narrow loss.

The Decisive Moment

The game was tied with just 10 seconds remaining. The Mavericks had equalized moments earlier through a clutch 3-pointer by Klay Thompson, and the Jazz now had possession. Jordan Clarkson held the ball at the top of the arc, with John Collins poised to make his move.

Dončić was tasked with guarding Collins but inexplicably focused on Collin Sexton, who was already covered. This misstep allowed Collins to slip past Dončić and complete an uncontested dunk, securing the Jazz’s victory.

Defensive Breakdown

While Dončić’s mistake stood out, the defensive breakdown extended beyond him.

• Dereck Lively II, stationed in the paint, hesitated to provide help defense in time, missing an opportunity to force Collins to pass or take a contested shot.
• Naji Marshall struggled to effectively cover the passing lane, further compounding the Mavericks’ defensive woes.

Despite these factors, Dončić’s lapse remained the focal point as he failed to stay with Collins during a pivotal moment.

Post-Game Reflections

Dončić accepted responsibility for the defensive error during the post-game press conference.

“I misunderstood. I thought I was gonna go hit, and [Quentin] Grimes thought he was gonna go hit … We misunderstood the bench. That’s on me,” Dončić admitted.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd echoed the sentiment, attributing the mishap to a communication failure.

“Communication. There was a lapse there. It happens, and they took full advantage of it. We gotta be better,” Kidd stated.

A Mixed Performance for Dončić

Despite the defensive lapse, Dončić once again showcased his offensive brilliance, scoring 37 points on 13-of-25 shooting, along with nine assists and seven rebounds. His ability to dominate offensively remains unmatched, but the defensive shortcomings highlight a recurring issue in his game.

The loss, which drops the Mavericks to 5-7 on the season, contrasts sharply with their NBA Finals berth just months earlier. The team must now regroup and address their defensive communication issues to stay competitive in a challenging season.

Takeaway

Luka Dončić’s performance epitomized the duality of his game—offensive brilliance marred by defensive lapses. As the Mavericks navigate the season, their success may hinge on their ability to resolve such critical breakdowns and maintain focus in clutch moments.

Source

Final 5:43 WILD ENDING Mavericks at Jazz | November 14, 2024

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