Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcame a slow start to score 32 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 to move within one win of a second consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first four shots of game five of the Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, but recovered with five consecutive points to help the Thunder overturn an early eight-point deficit.
The hosts took an 11-point lead into half-time before scoring the first nine points of the third quarter to pull away and take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Two-time MVP Gilgeous-Alexander made only seven of his 19 shots from the field but succeeded with 16 out of 17 from the free-throw line.
"If it was four or five of me out there, we would've been down 20 after the first quarter," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "[I] probably should never start like that again."
Jared McCain came into the team for Cason Wallace, and after a tricky start scored 18 points after the break to finish with 20.
Alex Caruso bounced back from a scoreless night in game four with 22 points.
San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama finished with 20 points and six rebounds.
After averaging 20.5 rebounds per game in the first two games of the series, Wembanyama has had only 18 over the past three.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama will have to offer more if his team is to turn the series around.
"He's going to have to take more than 15 shots even with the free throws," Johnson said. "He's going to have to score more than 20 points for sure."
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 24 points while Julian Champagnie added 22.
Oklahoma City can secure their place in the Finals with victory in game six in San Antonio on Thursday evening (01:30 BST on Friday).
The New York Knicks have already booked their place in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years after brushing aside the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals.
