Pacers Grab 2-1 NBA Finals Edge With Electric Game 3 Win Over Thunder
Pacers Dominate Fourth Quarter, Shift NBA Finals Momentum
No one saw the Indiana Pacers outpacing the Oklahoma City Thunder late in Game 3, but that's exactly what happened Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The home crowd erupted as Indiana surged past Oklahoma City 116-107, grabbing a 2-1 edge in the NBA Finals and swinging the pressure squarely back onto the Thunder.
Bennedict Mathurin was untouchable. The Pacers' second-year guard went 9-of-12 from the field, nailed a couple of timely three-pointers, and finished with 27 points and 4 boards. Whenever the Thunder threatened to retake the lead, Mathurin had an answer – whether it was an acrobatic layup or a tough jumper from the elbow. His level of efficiency made a huge difference for Indiana, especially as the rest of the lineup struggled to find rhythm through the first three quarters.
For the Thunder, Jalen Williams stepped up with 26 points on fairly efficient shooting, hitting 9 of his 18 attempts and bombed a three late to keep things interesting. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander picking up early fouls, Williams had to shoulder more of the scoring load. He fought through double teams and threw down a highlight dunk in the third, but the Thunder had a hard time keeping pace as the game wore on.
The turning point? The fourth quarter, hands down. Indiana looked re-energized, cranking up its defense and outscoring Oklahoma City by a staggering 40-28 margin. You could see the Thunder deflate once Tyrese Haliburton hit a clutch three to put the Pacers up by eight with just over three minutes left. Indiana's bench got into the act too, chipping in timely buckets and hustling for every loose ball. The Thunder simply couldn't match that energy with the game on the line.
What's Next: Series Heats Up Before Game 4
The Pacers now control the tempo of the series, leading 2-1 and making every possession count in front of their home fans. Suddenly, a squad dismissed as underdogs sits just two wins away from its first NBA title. Can Oklahoma City respond, or has the momentum swung too far?
Thursday's Game 4 at the same venue now feels like a must-win for the Thunder. If Indiana pulls off another victory, they'll be staring at history. But if Oklahoma City manages to fix its fourth-quarter woes—tighten up on defense, get more guys involved, and maybe keep Mathurin in check—the Finals could swing back in their favor.
One thing's clear: This has all the makings of a scrap to the finish. Teams, coaches, and fans can already feel the stakes rising with every possession. All eyes turn now to Game 4, where the next chapter of the NBA Finals drama is set to unfold.