They always say the close-out game is the toughest to win in a playoff series. The Oklahoma City Thunder will soon learn that lesson. They travel on the road to face the Indiana Pacers, who are on the verge of elimination as OKC holds a 3-2 series lead in the 2025 NBA Finals.

Monday night at Paycom Center, Pops saw it, felt it, as his son Jalen Williams bent Game 5 of the NBA Finals to his will. The All-Star forward attacked the Indiana Pacers like his reputation needed saving. Crossovers to the paint. Shoulder into chests. Layups softly off glass.

With the Thunder one win shy of becoming champions, head coach Mark Daigneault warned about the Pacers' fight, which is underestimated heading into Game 6 due to the fact Tyrese Haliburton (calf) is a game-time decision. Hobbled or not, Daigneault says Oklahoma City has to prepare for a difficult outing with or without Haliburton in the lineup.