Thunder Near First NBA Title After Game 5 Win

Jalen Williams delivered a career playoff-high 40 points, along with six rebounds and four assists, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. His performance made him one of the youngest players in NBA history to score 40 points in a Finals game, joining Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook. League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 10 assists, with the pair combining for 71 points and contributing to 103 of the Thunder's 120 points. Indiana rallied to erase most of an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma City capitalized on 22 Pacers turnovers and held firm, as Tyrese Haliburton struggled due to injury. The win gives Oklahoma City a 3-2 series lead and puts them one victory away from their first NBA championship in franchise history. Game 6 is set for Thursday in Indianapolis, where the Thunder can clinch the title.