Pacers Grab 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder After Game 3 Battle
Pacer Power: Indiana Claims Game 3 and the NBA Finals Edge
Game 3 of the NBA Finals did not disappoint, delivering a tense showdown in front of an amped-up crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers now sit just two wins away from their first ever NBA championship after claiming a 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 11, 2025.
Bennedict Mathurin stole the spotlight for Indiana, shooting a sizzling 9-for-12 from the floor and collecting 27 points. Right from the opening tip, Mathurin was locked in—slicing through the Thunder defense and dropping 14 points just in the first half. He even chipped in two three-pointers, keeping defenders guessing and the arena roaring.
Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t about to let his teammate have all the fun. His court vision and calm under pressure led not just to key baskets—including a floater in crunch time—but helped steady Indiana when things tightened up. On defense, Haliburton stuck to Oklahoma City’s star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander like glue, making shots tough and forcing mistakes just when the Thunder needed answers.
Thunder Stumble Against Pacers’ Playoff Pressure
On the other side, the Thunder had their hands full. Jalen Williams showed up with energy, posting 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting. Gilgeous-Alexander managed some highlight moments—a breathtaking spin move here, a tough layup there—but Indiana’s full-court pressure took its toll. Each time Oklahoma City tried to make a run, the Pacers responded with grit. Indiana's bench, anchored by T.J. McConnell’s relentless hustle and rebounding, made sure the Thunder never found their rhythm for long.
Turnovers became a problem for Oklahoma City. Indiana pestered them with aggressive defense, forcing mistakes and turning steals into easy points. Whenever the Thunder seemed to be closing the gap in the second half, Indiana’s role players delivered—nailing open looks and gobbling up crucial rebounds.
This wasn’t just a star showdown. The Pacers got supporting production from all over the roster, particularly their second unit. That depth is punching above its weight, and it’s been the difference in this tight series. The Thunder’s bench, meanwhile, struggled to keep up, making it difficult for their starters to get a breather when Indiana ramped up the pressure.
With the Pacers now leading the Finals 2-1, Game 4 is suddenly loaded with drama. Indiana can take control of the series if they keep up this level of energy and bench play, while the Thunder need to regroup fast or risk watching their title hopes slip away.