The Indiana Pacers grabbed a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals with a 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3, thanks to a dominant fourth quarter. Unlike their usual comebacks, the Pacers led early and sealed the game by outscoring the Thunder by 14 in the final period.
Oklahoma City struggled offensively in the fourth, managing just 18 points and shooting 6-of-17. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to three shots in the quarter and finished with 24 points on 20 attempts, along with six turnovers.
Reserve Bennedict Mathurin was Indiana’s standout, scoring 27 points in 22 minutes—the highest-scoring bench performance in the Finals since 2011. Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds.
Indiana’s bench, led by Mathurin and TJ McConnell, outscored the Thunder’s 49-18, flipping the momentum after an early eight-point deficit. The Pacers also excelled in transition and led 64-60 at halftime.
Despite trailing by five heading into the final quarter, Indiana’s pressure defense and hustle proved decisive. Game 4 is set for Friday in Indianapolis, with history favoring teams that win Game 3 of a tied Finals series.
