After defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder sit just one win away from hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time in the organization's history. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to remind everybody why he's the league's Most Valuable Player, it was Jalen Williams who led the Thunder to victory in Game 5.
Williams scored 40 points on 14-for-25 shooting from the field, went 3-for-5 from deep and 9-for-12 from the free-throw line. Williams has continued to improve in each of these NBA Finals games, scoring 26 points in Game 3 and 27 points in Game 4 before his Game 5 explosion.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 16, 2025.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 16, 2025.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Tyrese Haliburton confirms injury report during Thunder-Pacers Finals
While Williams received all the glamour after Game 5, it was the defensive intensity with which the Thunder played, forcing the Pacers into 22 turnovers compared to their 11. Winning the turnover battle, and by that much, the final score could've been skewed even more in Oklahoma City's direction.
All eyes were on Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton when he briefly left the game with right lower leg tightness. Haliburton confirmed the calf strain when he spoke to the media on Wednesday.
"I practiced today, did what I could. I know coach [Rick Carlisle] just told you guys what the process would be tomorrow for me to play," Haliburton said. "We're taking it from there."
Haliburton was then asked how smart he had to be with the injury in this situation, or if he was even thinking about that right now, with it being the NBA Finals.
"I think it depends on who you ask," Haliburton said. "You're asking me, so I think I have to be as smart as I want to be. Understand the risks, ask the right questions, but I'm a competitor, I want to play. I'm going to do everything in my power to play."
While he was able to come back, he was ineffective, scoring just four points on 0-for-6 from the field. While the Pacers can win games without Haliburton as their leading scorer, he's always been their primary facilitator. Having him out on the floor if he's at all compromised, considering how lethal Oklahoma City's defenders have been, could be a recipe for disaster.
Then again, it's the NBA Finals, and the Pacers are facing elimination. While it will likely come down to a game-time decision on whether he plays or not, it also wouldn't be surprising to see Carlisle let Haliburton give it a go early and make the decision then.