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Behind 71 combined points from the All-Star duo of Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder moved within one win of the 2025 NBA title with a 120-109 win over the Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Now, history is on Oklahoma City's side.
The word "pivotal" is often used to describe Game 5 of any playoff series, and in NBA Finals series that are tied at two games apiece, that adjective is especially apt. In taking a 3-2 series lead, the Thunder lead for the first time in the Finals and the Pacers trail for the first time in the 2025 playoffs, but it's much more than that.
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Here's the biggest stat that can be taken from OKC's Game 5 win.
MORE NBA FINALS GAME 5
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- Inside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 31-point performance in pivotal Game 5 win
- How injury, Thunder defense limited Tyrese Haliburton's effectiveness in Game 5
- Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle held back after erupting at refs in Game 5
History of 3-2 Finals leads after Game 5 win
Before this year, teams hold a 23-8 (.742) series record after winning Game 5 of the NBA Finals when it is tied, 2-2.
The past three teams to win Game 5 of the NBA Finals that were tied at two games apiece have gone on to win the series. The 2015 Warriors, 2021 Bucks, and 2022 Warriors each closed the series out in six games. Of those teams, the 2015 Golden State squad is the only one to close out on the road.
In the past 25 years, only the 2013 Spurs and 2010 Celtics lost after winning Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. Both teams lost in Game 7 on the road.
Here's a look at the last nine instances since the turn of the century.
| Year | Game 5 winner | Opponent | Series winner |
| 2025 | Thunder* | Pacers | TBD |
| 2022 | Warriors | Celtics* | Warriors (Game 6) |
| 2021 | Bucks | Suns* | Bucks (Game 6) |
| 2015 | Warriors* | Cavaliers | Warriors (Game 6) |
| 2013 | Spurs | Heat* | Heat (Game 7) |
| 2011 | Mavericks | Heat* | Mavericks (Game 6) |
| 2010 | Celtics | Lakers* | Lakers (Game 7) |
| 2006 | Heat | Mavericks* | Heat (Game 6) |
| 2005 | Spurs* | Pistons | Spurs (Game 7) |
| 2003 | Spurs* | Nets | Spurs (Game 6) |
*Team with home-court advantage in series.
Of the nine teams, only the 2005 Spurs won Game 5 and lost Game 6 before closing out the series in Game 7.
NBA Finals Game 7 history
If the Pacers force Game 7, it would be the 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history. Here is a look back at the previous 19, in which the home team has prevailed 15 times.
Road winners are listed in bold.
| Year | Result | Location |
| 2016 | Cavaliers 93, Warriors 89 | Oracle Arena (Golden State) |
| 2013 | Heat 95, Spurs 88 | American Airlines Arena (Miami) |
| 2010 | Lakers 83, Celtics 79 | Staples Center (Los Angeles) |
| 2005 | Spurs 81, Pistons 74 | SBC Center (San Antonio) |
| 1994 | Rockets 90, Knicks 84 | The Summit (Houston) |
| 1988 | Lakers 108, Pistons 105 | The Forum (Los Angeles) |
| 1984 | Celtics 111, Lakers 102 | Boston Garden (Boston) |
| 1978 | Bullets 105, SuperSonics 99 | Seattle Center Coliseum (Seattle) |
| 1974 | Celtics 102, Bucks 87 | Milwaukee Arena (Milwaukee) |
| 1970 | Knicks 113, Lakers 99 | Madison Square Garden (New York) |
| 1969 | Celtics 108, Lakers 106 | The Forum (Los Angeles) |
| 1966 | Celtics 95, Lakers 93 | Boston Garden (Boston) |
| 1962 | Celtics 110, Lakers 107 (OT) | Boston Garden (Boston) |
| 1960 | Celtics 122, Hawks 103 | Boston Garden (Boston) |
| 1957 | Celtics 125, Hawks 123 (2OT) | Boston Garden (Boston) |
| 1955 | Nationals 92, Pistons 91 | Onondaga War Memorial (Syracuse) |
| 1954 | Lakers 87, Nationals 80 | Minneapolis Auditorium (Minneapolis) |
| 1952 | Lakers 82, Knicks 65 | Minneapolis Auditorium (Minneapolis) |
| 1951 | Royals 79, Knicks 75 | Edgerton Park Arena (Rochester) |
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