NBA FINALS: THUNDER VS. PACERS

June 16, 2025

Pascal Siakam

Indiana Pacers

Game 5: Postgame

Oklahoma City Thunder 120, Indiana Pacers 109.

Q. Pascal, you drilled the three and got to you within two in the fourth quarter, but gave up an offensive rebound and the turnovers plagued you guys late. How do you feel like the final five minutes played out?

PASCAL SIAKAM: Yeah, it's unfortunate. I think even with the game that we had, we still put ourselves in position [to win] at that point. We've got to take care of that -- rebounding, or just those 50/50 balls, we've got to come up with it.

Yeah, just that fast, it kind of like went away from us. But I thought the fight was there. We continue to fight no matter what, and we gave ourselves a chance until we made some mistakes there.

Q. This game felt pretty similar to Game 1 where you guys just hung around. What do you feel like you guys weren't able to do to get over the hump this time?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I think we didn't make the necessary plays at the right time. Some rebounding or turnovers there that they converted into buckets. They made some tough shots. Tough shots after tough shots in those moments. We weren't able to get anything really going offensively at that point.

Q. Coach Carlisle said turnovers were the game, 23. How much of it was that defense doing what they do versus you guys just not being sharp enough?

PASCAL SIAKAM: I think it starts with me. I've got to be better, especially the first quarter, taking care of ball. I think it just kind of sets a trend a little bit with turnovers that we had in the critical parts of the game. I've got to be better with that.

I also think they do get away with a lot of reaching, probably a testament to the defense. But I think they do get away with a lot. Some of those turnovers, I felt they were fouls. But I've got to be better. I can't have that many turnovers, especially in that first quarter.

Q. Everybody can see that Tyrese is playing through something with the leg. What's it say that he was able to be out there and gut out 34 minutes?

PASCAL SIAKAM: He's a fighter. He's been our rock all year. He's a big reason why we're here. I don't know exactly what's wrong, but I know he's fighting and he's going to give us everything he's got. We are a hundred percent behind him and we support him.

I think one thing he showed, his resiliency. He showed that all year. I think that we can continue to count on him to keep fighting. I admire that from him, just because I know that it's hard.

We've got a couple of days. Take care of our bodies, rest well and be ready for Game 6.

Q. You guys get down pretty big at the end of the first half and have that major third- quarter run. T.J. McConnell really fueled it. What did you see from T.J. McConnell?

PASCAL SIAKAM: Yeah, he was aggressive. That's T.J.. That's what he does. I thought he caught a good momentum getting to his spots and playing the way that he does. That really, really helped us and put us in position to even fight for this game. Just a big game from him.