The Thunder host the Pacers on June 16 for a pivotal Game 5 of the NBA Finals. With the series tied 2-2, can SGA & Jalen Williams lead OKC to victory?
StatPro NBA Beat Reporter
Welcome to the storm, NBA fans. Tonight, Monday, June 16, 2025, is the night Oklahoma City has been dreaming of. With the NBA Finals deadlocked at two games apiece, our Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in a do-or-die Game 5. The series hangs in the balance, and with the roar of the Paycom Center crowd behind them, OKC has a golden opportunity to seize control and push to the very edge of a championship.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams combined for a staggering 62 points in Game 4, putting the team on their backs to even the series.
The tension is palpable. After a gutsy 111-104 comeback win on the road in Game 4, the Thunder have wrestled back home-court advantage and all the momentum. The series is now a best-of-three, and two of those potential games are right here in OKC. The stakes couldn't be higher. Adding to the drama, the Pacers will be without key forward Jarace Walker, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, putting even more pressure on their depth against a relentless Thunder squad.
You can't talk about the Thunder's chances without starting and ending with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. The duo was simply electric in Game 4. SGA was a maestro, dropping 35 points on hyper-efficient shooting and adding three steals. Not to be outdone, J-Dub was a force of nature, pouring in 27 points and hitting all 11 of his free throws. Their combined 62-point outburst was a clear message: this team's stars shine brightest when the lights are on. For OKC to win tonight, they'll need another heroic effort from their one-two punch.
This team's success isn't just about star power; it's about a championship mindset forged over a league-best 68-14 regular season. In pre-game media sessions, coaches and players hammered home their keys to victory: relentless defensive intensity and crisp ball movement. They know they can't just rely on isolation plays. The focus is on improving their perimeter shooting and assist numbers, trusting the system that made them the top seed in the West. It's this blend of elite talent and disciplined strategy that has brought them to the brink of glory.
Tonight is more than just a game; it's a chance to move one win away from the Larry O'Brien Trophy. A victory puts the Thunder in the driver's seat, heading to Indiana with championship point. A loss means facing elimination on the road. The lights are at their brightest, the stage is set, and for this young, brilliant Thunder team, destiny is waiting to be seized. Get ready, OKC. This is what it's all about.
