Thunder Dominate First Half as Pacers Struggle in Game 5 Showdown
What a scene we’re witnessing in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. As the series stood locked at 2-2, the tension heading into this game was palpable. And yet, it’s the Thunder who have seized control early, asserting their dominance with a 59–45 halftime lead at the Paycom Center in OKC.
Oklahoma City came out aggressive, clearly feeding off the energy of their home crowd. Their defense was relentless—suffocating, really. Ten turnovers forced in just two quarters? That’s not just good defense; it’s championship-level intensity. And on the offensive end, they were efficient and smart. Jalen Williams, or "J-Dub," was a force in the first half with 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, adding three assists and not a single turnover. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been masterful once again, calmly running the show with 13 points and five assists by halftime. Even the role players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace stepped up big—knocking down a combined six threes and scoring 18 between them.
Also Read:- Flamengo estreia no Mundial enfrentando brasileiros no ataque do Espérance
- Brigitte Lafleur’s Brave Heart Shines inSortez-moi d’ici!Finale
Meanwhile, it’s a different story for the Pacers. They simply couldn’t get it going. Tyrese Haliburton, battling a nagging right calf injury, has yet to put points on the board. There’s real concern about his effectiveness, and voices like Stephen A. Smith aren’t holding back—calling for him to rest and regroup for Game 6. With Haliburton visibly limited and Pascal Siakam committing uncharacteristic turnovers, Indiana’s offensive rhythm looked completely off. Shooting just 33% from the field and 10-of-29 inside the arc, the Pacers couldn’t find a spark, and their paint presence was practically erased by OKC’s rim protection.
Still, even down 14, the game isn’t out of reach. As shaky as Indiana looked, the Thunder needed some lucky bounces—like Lu Dort banking in a deep three—to pad their lead. And as we’ve seen all series long, momentum can flip in an instant.
The question now is whether Indiana can dig deep and claw back in the second half. They’ve shown grit throughout the postseason, and while Game 5 may not be do-or-die on paper, it sure feels like it. Because whoever walks away from this game with the win will carry a massive psychological edge into Game 6.
The Thunder are on the brink of breaking through, but the Pacers still have time to remind us why they’re in the Finals. Strap in—this series is far from over.
Read More:
0 Comments