Thunder rise from the dead, stave off elimination in an epic Game 5

This was the highest stakes game of basketball played in Oklahoma City since the 2016 Western Finals. And now as then, what we witnessed was dumbfounding. This time around, however, the Thunder were celebrating a scarcely believable comeback. They somehow pulled out a 107-99 victory over the Jazz after trailing 71-46 during the third quarter. They’ve cut Utah’s series lead to 3-2 as Game 6 in Utah now looms large. Russell Westbrook and Paul George led the furious Thunder comeback with 45 points and 34 points respectively.

This game had all the makings of an OKC self-destruction through two quarters. All the issues that plagued the Thunder in Games 2-4 resurfaced. The defensive scheme wasn’t working again. The Thunder blitzed Utah’s ball handlers aggressively on pick-and-rolls and helped too far off the shooters in the corners. Jae Crowder and Joe Ingles subsequently went wild from 3-point land in the first half. Crowder, who couldn’t hit a shot in Cleveland earlier this year, had 15 in the first quarter! When the Thunder toned down the aggression and stuck closer to Utah’s shooters, Rubio was able to find Gobert and Favors rolling to the rim. The two Utah behemoths finished off easy looks at basket and drew a bunch of fouls.

At the other end of the floor, the erratic Thunder offense looked totally discombobulated. With the exception of some nice Paul George drives and jumpers in the first, OKC couldn’t get much going. Russell Westbrook struggled as Rudy Gobert barricaded the rim, shutting down the Thunder’s initial actions. As a result, the Thunder missed tough looks at the basket and were forced into tough midrangers and floaters.

OKC started the second quarter scoreless for four straight minutes. With Westbrook on the bench, a unit led by Melo and George produced more turnovers that clean field goal attempts. Westbrook ended the ugly, turnover-ridden drought with a nice midranger, but never really got going in the half. The Jazz took a 56-42 lead into halftime and seemed to be in total control.

The smackdown continued after halftime. Utah pounced on a Thunder team that seemed ready to roll over and capitulate. ne play in particular seemed like a microcosm of the series for both teams: Gobert blocked Westbrook at the rim, the Jazz got out on the break and Rubio found Donovan Mitchell wide open for a corner 3-pointer. Tough defense created easy offense as the Jazz started the quarter on a 15-4 run and jumped out to an insurmountable 25 point lead. The Jazz had all but tossed the dirt on a Thunder team that was lying in its coffin. OKC had never coalesced throughout the season; they were meant to lose to a unified squad that was simply a better team right? Game, set, series for Utah … until it wasn’t.

And then with Oklahoma City’s back against the wall, the supernova known as Russell Westbrook exploded. The Thunder staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent memory, as Westbrook and PG engineered a preposterous 32-7 run. Westbrook hit four shots from deep and fearlessly drove to the rim. He got to the line and was dishing out assists as the Thunder knotted the game at 78 by the end of the third. George was finally able to get to the rack consistently, finishing at the rim out-muscling Utah’s bigs.

The run was truly awe-inspiring and was facilitated by Gobert getting into foul trouble. The Thunder offense finally unstuck and they clawed back into the game. It is also important to note that that Carmelo and Corey Brewer were off the floor for nearly all of this comeback. Jearmi Grant played at the four while Abrines played at the two spot.

As spectacular as the Thunder offense was in the third, the defense was just as ridiculous. Utah’s offense ground to a halt after the eight minute mark of the third. The easy corner looks that the Jazz were thriving on evaporated. OKC finally adjusted their coverages to a more switch heavy scheme and shrank the once wide open floor for the Jazz. Grant was absolutely instrumental for the Thunder on the defensive end. He and George in particular were monsters, getting their hands everywhere and closing off the passing angles that were wide open in the first half. That frantic defense continued throughout the fourth as Utah couldn’t generate clean looks. Westbrook and PG took the Thunder past the finish line with some awesome shot-making as the fourth quarter was winding down.

Next: LeBron James beats the Pacers at the buzzer

We’re going to remember this game for a long time, no matter what happens the rest of this series; it was the rare kind of treat that the NBA Playoffs provide every few years. Of all the questions, tactical and narrative, that surround a fascinating Game 6, one stands out above the others: will this incredible victory galvanize the Thunder? This team hasn’t felt right all year. The statistics have indicated that they are solid, but with so much talent they always leave you wanting more.

After such a momentous show of resolve and defensive intensity, perhaps they’ve found something real to latch onto.

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