Mathurin leads Pacers past Thunder in Game 3 (116- 107)

In a pivotal Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers emerged victorious over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 116-107, taking a crucial 2-1 lead in the series. Bennedict Mathurin proved to be the standout performer, scoring an impressive 27 points off the bench, which significantly contributed to his team's success . This victory not only showcased Mathurin's offensive prowess but also highlighted the depth and resilience of the Pacers' roster.

Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 points off the bench, Tyrese Haliburton finished with 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and the Pacers retook the lead in the NBA Finals by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 on Wednesday night.

“This is the kind of team that we are," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “We need everybody to be ready. It’s not always going to be exactly the same guys that are stepping up with scoring and stuff like that. But this is how we've got to do it.”

Pascal Siakam scored 21 for Indiana, which enjoyed a whopping 49-18 edge in bench points. The Pacers, who lost Game 2 in Oklahoma City, improved to 10-0 since mid-March in the game immediately following a loss.

The Pacers now find themselves in control of the series. Teams that win Game 3 of a 1-1 NBA Finals have gone on to win 80.5% of the time, and Indiana remains unbeaten after a loss in the 2025 postseason, improving to 5-0. The Pacers still have not dropped back-to-back games since March 8-10.

There was too much Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin off the bench and rim protection by Myles Turner late in this game for OKC to handle. The Pacers played a more complete game for once and beat the Thunder at their own game — defense, depth and at times dominance.

In the process, the Pacers finally broke their Game 3 jinx, having dropped all three such games in the postseason before Wednesday.

Said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle: “Hard things are hard. Our guys, they have made the investment, and it’s an ongoing thing. It’s like a great marriage; it’s a lot of work.”

The Pacers' slim halftime lead built by the bench dissipated in 90 seconds. The lead they regained again slipped through their grasp to close the quarter, trailing by five.

Make no mistake, this was the series for Indiana. Losing this, in front of this rabid home crowd, would've sapped any optimism for Friday’s Game 4, and all would’ve been lost.

This victory places Indiana in an advantageous position as they aim for their first title since 2000. The momentum gained from Game 3 could prove essential as they continue their quest for success in subsequent games . As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Mathurin and his ability to maintain this level of performance under pressure.

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Sara H

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