In a pivotal Game 3 — held June 11, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse — the Indiana Pacers stormed back to capture a vital 116–107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, grabbing a 2–1 series lead in the NBA Finals .
Bench Power & Crushing Fourth Quarter
Indiana’s bench exploded, outscoring Oklahoma City’s reserves a staggering 49–18. The Pacers closed with a dominant 32–18 run in the fourth quarter, flipping a five-point deficit into a lead they never relinquished .
Off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin tallied 27 points, while T.J. McConnell turned heads with 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals — conjuring energy and hustle that ignited the crowd .
Leaders Stepping Up
Starter Tyrese Haliburton nearly logged a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, and nailed four three-pointers, including a crucial one to push Indiana ahead early in the final frame . Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam added 21 points and sealed the win with a smooth layup with just over a minute remaining .
Thunder’s Late Fade
Despite strong performances from Jalen Williams (26 points), Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (24), and Chet Holmgren (20 and 10 boards), the Thunder’s offensive output collapsed under pressure, shooting a mere 35.3% in the fourth quarter, sinking 0-for-4 from deep, and coughing up five turnovers in that stretch .
Historical Edge
Indiana has now secured its 10th straight win after a loss since mid-March and, historically speaking, teams that win Game 3 of a tied Finals go on to secure the championship about 80–80.5 % of the time .
Game 4 drops on Friday night in Indianapolis, where the Pacers will attempt to extend their momentum and seize a commanding 3–1 series advantage .
Bottom Line
Indiana flipped the script with bench firepower, defensive tenacity, and relentless fourth-quarter energy. The result: a compelling 2–1 lead and a chance to seize control of these Finals on home court.