(NBA Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder one game away from title after Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton struggles in game five)

 

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The Oklahoma City Thunder now stand on the precipice of their first NBA championship, holding a commanding 3-2 lead over the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals after a decisive 120-109 victory in Game 5. This pivotal win was largely influenced by the hampered performance of Pacers' All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who battled a lingering lower right leg injury throughout the contest. Despite his insistence on playing, even returning to the court after briefly leaving in the first quarter for treatment, Haliburton was a shadow of his usual self. He finished with just four points, all from the free-throw line, and remarkably failed to make a single field goal on six attempts – a first in his 36-game playoff career.

While Haliburton courageously played through the pain, contributing seven rebounds and six assists, his limited offensive impact undoubtedly stifled the Pacers' typically high-octane attack. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, capitalized on this, with Jalen Williams exploding for a playoff career-high 40 points and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 31 points and 10 assists. The Thunder's suffocating defense also played a crucial role, forcing 23 Indiana turnovers that led to 32 points for OKC

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With the series shifting back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 6 on Thursday, June 19, the Pacers face a must-win situation. The question remains how much Haliburton's injury will continue to affect his performance and if other Pacers, like Pascal Siakam (who led the team with 28 points in Game 5), can elevate their game to force a decisive Game 7. The Thunder, with their newfound momentum and strong performances from their young stars, are now just one victory away from making franchise history.