
The Thunder were at risk of falling victim to another historic Pacers comeback on Monday, but for the second straight game, they responded in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma City claimed the pivotal Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Monday night, fending off Indiana in the final quarter after leading for nearly the entire game. A 120-109 win for the Thunder saw them lead by as many as 18 points, but a surprising second-half run by Indiana eventually cut that lead to just two. Rather than crumble as it did at home back in Game 1 of the series, Oklahoma City capitalized on turnovers and used historic performances from its two All-Star players to move within one win of a championship.
Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up one of the greatest NBA Finals performances by a duo in recent history. Offensively, Williams had the hot hand all night, torching Indiana for a playoff career-high 40 points on 14-of-25 shooting from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander, coming off some Game 4 heroics despite no assists, chipped in 31 points, 10 assists, four blocks, and two steals in an all-around effort.
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The 71 combined points between Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander, plus seven triples between Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, were enough to help the Thunder prevent the Pacers from adding another patented comeback to their collection.
Pascal Siakam (28 points, five assists, three steals, two blocks) did everything he could to get Indiana back in the game, but with Tyrese Haliburton playing through a calf injury, the Pacers’ offense lacked enough juice to compete with a relentless Thunder defense for all 48 minutes.
While T.J. McConnell helped mask the struggles with 18 points off the bench, Haliburton failed to make even one field goal and finished with four points. His health will be a massive storyline heading into Game 6, where the Thunder will have an opportunity to close out a historic season with a title, while the Pacers will have their backs against the wall.
The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights as the Thunder and Pacers faced off in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Here’s what you may have missed from OKC’s win.
Pacers vs. Thunder live score
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Pacers vs. Thunder highlights from Game 5 of 2025 NBA Finals
All times ET.
11:16 p.m. — Oklahoma City is one win away from a title. The Thunder take Game 5 at home, pulling away in the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run at one point to silence any talks of another Pacers comeback. Jalen Williams was outstanding, posting 40 points, as was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 31 points, 10 assists, four blocks and two steals.
Indiana trails in a series for the first time this postseason after Tyrese Haliburton totaled just four points with ongoing injury issues.
WHAT A GAME FROM JALEN WILLIAMS 🔥
◽️ 40 PTS
◽️ 14/24 FG
◽️ 3/5 3 PT pic.twitter.com/cMfg8IrFlu— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 17, 2025
11:13 p.m. — Aaron Nesmith with a nasty put-back jam. It may be too late for the Pacers to make one of their patented comebacks in Game 5, but Nesmith brings the energy nonetheless with a poster over Chet Holmgren.
AARON NESMITH WENT OVER CHET HOLMGREN 😱 pic.twitter.com/2CucrPfICk
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 17, 2025
11:08 p.m. — 40 points for Jalen Williams! It’s a historic night for the Thunder star, who’s been in rhythm all night from all over the floor. His performance is tracking to lead OKC within one win of a championship.
JDUB 40-PIECE IN THE NBA FINALS 🤯🚨
Has the @okcthunder on the brink of a 3-2 lead! pic.twitter.com/1YCXGOrNLl
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
11:04 p.m. — It’s been turnovers galore for OKC in the last few minutes, leading to the offensive avalanche to take a commanding lead. The Thunder just have to hold on for five minutes to take a 3-2 lead. The Pacers have given the ball away 20 times.
ALEX CARUSO GOING ALL OUT FOR A 3-2 LEAD!
DIVES FOR THE LOOSE BALL 😤😤
🏆 Under 4 minutes remaining on ABC pic.twitter.com/0sIBtUCmEr
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
11:01 p.m. — The Thunder have come alive in the fourth quarter. After Indiana inched toward a comeback, OKC now leads by double-digits once again thanks to its two All-Stars. Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams can’t be stopped right now, with Williams now at 37 points after a 3-pointer to make it a 13-point lead. It’s 64 combined points for the two Thunder stars.
A JALEN WILLIAMS TAKEOVER IN GAME 5 🚨
He’s got a playoff career-high 37 points!! pic.twitter.com/3Wlx9twLIg
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
10:55 p.m. — And just like that, the Thunder go on a small run. OKC is now up seven points again following a Jalen Williams three, continuing his massive game with 33 points, and another fastbreak score from Wallace. Under eight minutes remain; can the Thunder hold on with the Pacers threatening?
10:54 p.m. — Wow, Pascal Siakam. He cuts the Pacers’ deficit to two points with an offensive rebound and a 3-pointer, and the intensity in this Game 5 has reached a new high. What a performance from the former NBA champion.
SIAKAM WITH 12 PTS IN 4 MINUTES 🤯
He’s keeping the Pacers in it midway through the 4Q!
🏆 Game 5 on ABC | Series Tied 2-2 pic.twitter.com/nr0llR4uOM
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
10:53 p.m. — Pascal Siakam has had quite the game with Tyrese Haliburton quiet. The wing has 23 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, doing it all to keep Indiana in this game. It’s a five-point game after a few impressive sequences from Siakam.
Pascal Siakam steals the inbound and slams it home on the fastbreak 💥 pic.twitter.com/NfENPoFnRr
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 17, 2025
10:40 p.m. — Aaron Wiggins’ fourth 3-pointer of the evening makes it a 10-point game once again. It comes on SGA’s seventh assist of the night, after he had none in Game 4.
Pacers get momentum… Thunder RESPOND.
Aaron Wiggins’ 4th triple of the game puts OKC back up 10!
🏆 IND (2-2) OKC on ABC pic.twitter.com/opgCfNqij9
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
End of third quarter: Thunder 87, Pacers 79
10:34 p.m. — Call it the “T.J. McConnell quarter.” The Pacers are down by eight heading into the fourth, a deficit that is much smaller than before thanks to their second-unit point guard. McConnell has a team-high 18 points, while the Thunder have gotten 29 from Jalen Williams. Just 12 minutes remain in Game 5.
THE T.J. AND OBI SHOW IN THE 3Q 🔥
5 straight buckets for the two Indy role players!!
PACERS SEEKING A 3-2 LEAD ON ABC 🏁 pic.twitter.com/Glq4l0D5Mc
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
10:29 p.m. — McConnell has eight points in the third quarter, and for the second time in this Finals, he has helped the Pacers make a big run. Game 1 followed a similar pattern, with Indiana trailing all game then using clutch shots to claim a win. Can they do it again?
T.J. McConnell spin cycle 🫨 pic.twitter.com/ki2AJJqwAs
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 17, 2025
10:27 p.m. — Somehow, the Pacers are within five points. A late run in the quarter led by T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin has Indiana back in this Game 5 despite playing from behind all night.
T.J. SPINS AND SCORES 🌀🌀
IT’S A 7-PT GAME IN THE 3Q 👀
Pacers (2-2) Thunder Game 5 on ABC pic.twitter.com/oHN0DBbzBY
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
10:19 p.m. — An Obi Toppin three cuts the Pacers’ deficit to nine, but Williams stays hot to give OKC the momentum back. It’s been more of a back-and-forth third quarter, but with the cushion the Thunder built in the first half, they’re comfortable for now.
JALEN WILLIAMS TRIPLE FOR 22 👌
Leads all scorers in Game 5 on ABC! pic.twitter.com/VtiPwFPBOY
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
10:15 p.m. — Haliburton has points No. 1 and 2 tonight with a pair of free throws.
10:10 p.m. — Jalen Williams is up to 19 points, but a Pascal Siakam bucket forces a Thunder timeout in the third quarter. Indiana still trails by double-digits.
PACERS TEAM HUSTLE.
SIAKAM LAY ON THE OTHER END.Indy cuts the deficit in the 3Q of Game 5 on ABC 👀 pic.twitter.com/RpyG3ZNFuo
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
10:05 p.m. — ESPN’s Shams Charania calls Tyrese Haliburton’s injury “right calf tightness,” saying the point guard will continue to try to play through it.
Reporting for ABC NBA Countdown Halftime on Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton dealing with calf tightness on the same leg that he limped off with ankle soreness last week: pic.twitter.com/vZoaNNWWHJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 17, 2025
10:03 p.m. — The second half is under way, and Gilgeous-Alexander extends the OKC lead to 16.
Halftime: Thunder 59, Pacers 45
9:44 p.m. — At halftime, the Thunder are in complete control. Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams combined for 29 points, their defense was physical and led to easy points, and their bench 3-point shooting has been on point.
Meanwhile, Indiana is doing everything it can to stay in this one, but with Tyrese Haliburton (0 points) not contributing much while potentially playing through injury, the Pacers can’t keep up. They’re in serious danger of falling down 3-2 in the Finals after initially taking a 2-1 lead.
1. Rim-protector Chet
2. Point-Chet https://t.co/9rStciutky pic.twitter.com/j0lBXegJKE— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton finished with 0 points in the first half of Game 5.
It’s the first scoreless first half in his playoff career. pic.twitter.com/53gFv7nASQ
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 17, 2025
9:40 p.m. — Tyrese Haliburton has been dealing with a nagging injury, but he is still scoreless through 16 minutes played.
9:37 p.m. — OKC is pulling away. It’s a 54-38 lead for the Thunder as the first half winds down; Williams leads the way with 16 points, but Gilgeous-Alexander remains consistent with his 11 points. Add in 7-13 shooting from deep and three blocks from Chet Holmgren, and this has been a thorough effort from the Western Conference champs.
Handling business 💼 pic.twitter.com/2xuZPsbBkp
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 17, 2025
9:24 p.m. — Jalen Williams throws one down off a cut and nice feed from Isaiah Hartenstein, then follows it up with two more points on the fastbreak. The Thunder are playing fast tonight, and it’s paying off.
WHAT A SEQUENCE 😲
JDub THROWDOWN.
Caurso steal.
JDub AND-1.Williams has 11 PTS early… OKC leads in Game 5 on ABC ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6MLj83yHOW
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
9:17 p.m. — Oklahoma City is locked in from beyond the arc. Wiggins is up to three shots from deep already, and while 3-pointers from T.J. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith help Indiana get within single-digits, the Pacers still trail by eight.
the corner three from Aaron Nesmith is good 🎯 pic.twitter.com/uHHsTvBN2k
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 17, 2025
9:14 p.m. — The Thunder have now connected on five of their nine 3-point attempts, taking a 13-point lead. Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace have two triples apiece off the bench.
End of first quarter: Thunder 32, Pacers 22
9:07 p.m. — The Thunder have a double-digit lead, but the Pacers are doing what they can to fight back in it. Mathurin has five points off the bench with a 3-pointer, but OKC has 10 assists and just one turnover as a unit after the first quarter. It’s a strong start for the home team in Game 5.
9:04 p.m. — Bennedict Mathurin with a chase-down swat:
BENN CHASEDOWN 🖐️🚫
SWATTED IT OFF THE GLASS!
Pacers (2-2) Thunder on ABC pic.twitter.com/BT4im4KnQu
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
8:54 p.m. — With a loud crowd behind them, the Thunder are playing their brand of basketball in the first quarter. They’ve hounded Indiana for five turnovers, got in transition for a few easy buckets, and gotten 13 combined points from their two All-Stars, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams. OKC is already pushing into double-digit lead territory.
Foot on the gas from defense to offense ↔️ pic.twitter.com/CTN7itUYQi
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 17, 2025
8:48 p.m. — Jalen Williams gets going with three early baskets, paving the way for a 17-12 Thunder advantage to force a timeout. If the first four minutes are any indication, this will be a high-scoring Finals matchup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added in a clean crossover on Pascal Siakam.
THIS CROSSOVER 😳
Shai slices to the rim as OKC opens up a 5-point lead in the 1st! pic.twitter.com/Lf9FBYDNqQ
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
8:45 p.m. — Both offenses are on fire to open Game 5. The Pacers and Thunder are shooting a red-hot 10-of-12 from the floor, trading shots in the first quarter.
8:43 p.m. — What a finish from Chet Holmgren. He was locked in on the rim despite driving in backwards.
CHET GETS CRAFTY ON THE FINISH 😮💨
OKC is LOUD for Game 5 on ABC 🗣️🔊 pic.twitter.com/0MGqQzUu8d
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
8:42 p.m. — Isaiah Hartenstein opens the scoring with a dunk, then Andrew Nembhard matches him with a pull-up jumper.
I-HART GETS THE SCORING STARTED!
Series tied 2-2, Game 5 live on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/QliTdwW7d2
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
8:39 p.m. — Game 5 is under way. The home crowd is pumped up in Oklahoma City.
Pregame
8:34 p.m. — Indiana stole Game 1, then Oklahoma City blew them out in Game 2. The Pacers pulled away in Game 3 at home, then the Thunder responded in Game 4 with a late comeback. Which squad will come within a win of a championship tonight?
8:32 p.m. — NBA Finals lineup introductions are back.
The NBA Finals starting lineup introductions are back on TV for the first time since 2013. 🏀📺🎙️🔥 #NBA #NBAFinals #ESPN #ABC
Read more: https://t.co/wZ0QuYqCtp pic.twitter.com/UjOytv5iXG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 17, 2025
8:21 p.m. — OKC sticks with its two-big starting lineup for Game 5:
Our 5️⃣ for Game 5 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/QS3LrXwqZE
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 17, 2025
8:16 p.m. — The starters for Indiana remain the same:
first five of Game 5. pic.twitter.com/xTXIhRVG37
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 17, 2025
7:35 p.m. — The players have arrived in fashion for Game 5, the biggest game of the season for both sides. Winner takes a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals.
arrived. pic.twitter.com/1jBYbh3Mlo
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 16, 2025
Too fly, two’s fly 🥶 pic.twitter.com/6XwwCwIshX
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 16, 2025
Pacers vs. Thunder start time
- Date: Monday, June 16
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. PT
Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Thunder and Pacers will tip off around 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, June 16. The game will be played at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
MORE: How Thunder overcame historically bad 3-point shooting to win Game 4
How to watch the 2025 NBA Finals
- TV channel: ABC
- Live stream: Sling
Game 5 of Thunder vs. Pacers, and the rest of the series, will air nationally on ABC. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Richard Jefferson (analyst), and Doris Burke (analyst) will have the call for every game.
Viewers can also stream the games live on Sling, which will carry every NBA playoff game in 2025. Sling is your home for playoff action. Catch NBA and NHL postseason games with a range of sports channels including TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, ABC, and more.
MORE: Top 13 highest scoring games in NBA Finals history
NBA Finals schedule, results 2025
(1) Thunder vs. (4) Pacers
Date | Game/Result | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
---|---|---|---|
June 5 | Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110 | — | — |
June 8 | Game 2: Thunder 123, Pacers 107 | — | — |
June 11 | Game 3: Pacers 116, Thunder 107 | — | — |
June 13 | Game 4: Thunder 111, Pacers 104 | — | — |
June 16 | Game 5: Oklahoma City vs. Indiana | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
June 19 | Game 6: Indiana vs. Oklahoma City | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
June 22 | Game 7: Oklahoma City vs. Indiana* | 8 p.m. | ABC, Sling |
*If necessary
