Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers clash in pivotal Game 5

The GIST: The seven-game NBA Finals are level at two games apiece following the OKC Thunder’s 111–104 comeback win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Who will hoist the Larry OB? An excellent question ahead of tonight’s 8:30 p.m. ET Game 5 — and one of many we’re asking this Monday morning.

⛈️ Can the Thunder take their first lead in the championship series?: It’s hard to believe, but one of the best NBA teams ever has yet to lead the series. OKC’s Finals campaign has been eerily reminiscent of their second-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets. What happened in that Game 5? League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 31 points in a Thunder win. Food for thought.

👟 Will the Pacers bounce back after tasting their own medicine?: No lead is safe when the Pacers are playing…not even their own. Indy led by as many as 10 in the second half of Game 4 but were outscored 31–17 in the fourth quarter — SGA netted 15 of his 35 points in the game’s final five minutes, while Pacers superstars, Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, faltered.

• The good news for Indy faithful? This resilient crew hasn’t lost back-to-back games since mid-March.

⭕ Is NBA basketball…back?: Viewership numbers are down in this “small-market” showdown, but it’s not a reflection of the on-court product. Whether it’s the “nobody plays defense” argument or the “too many threes” one, typical league criticisms are nowhere to be found in this gritty series. Basketball purists, rejoice.