NBA Finals Tied 2-2 as Thunder Seek First Championship

The 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder has reached a pivotal Game 5 with the series tied 2-2, highlighting an intense and closely contested battle. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league MVP and leading scorer, has been instrumental for the Thunder, recently scoring 35 points in a crucial comeback win to avoid a 3-1 deficit. Analysts note the strategic adjustments by both teams, including Indiana’s effective full-court pressure limiting Gilgeous-Alexander's ball possession, and the Pacers’ bench depth is wearing down the Thunder. Despite Indiana’s strong identity and competitiveness, Oklahoma City is favored by 9.5 points in Game 5, which statistically often determines the eventual series winner. Outside the NBA Finals, the NHL’s Stanley Cup Finals and the U.S. Open golf championship are also concluding soon, with the Florida Panthers favored for the Stanley Cup and J.J. Spaun winning the U.S. Open with a dramatic final putt. A significant MLB trade also occurred, with Rafael Devers moving from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants, impacting World Series odds.