Thunder vs. Pacers highlights: Indiana wins NBA Finals Game 3, takes 2-1 lead
Pacers Rally in Game 3 to Take 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Behind Haliburton, Mathurin
INDIANAPOLIS — In front of a roaring home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Pacers played their most complete game of the 2025 NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 on Wednesday night to seize a 2-1 series lead.
Tyrese Haliburton flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals in a brilliant all-around performance. But it was Bennedict Mathurin who emerged as the unexpected hero off the bench, scoring a team-high 27 points — including 14 in the second quarter and a pivotal three-pointer that gave Indiana the lead for good with just over eight minutes remaining.
Pascal Siakam added 21 points, and the Pacers’ bench overwhelmed Oklahoma City’s second unit 49-18, with T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin providing critical energy and production. The Pacers committed just nine turnovers while forcing 14, a stark improvement from Games 1 and 2.
Despite strong showings from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 points), Jalen Williams (26), and Chet Holmgren (20 points, 10 rebounds), the Thunder couldn’t keep up late. Indiana pulled away after Haliburton nailed a three-pointer to give the Pacers a 110-102 lead with just over three minutes remaining.
The Thunder had led 89-84 entering the fourth, but Indiana’s resilience — backed by a bench-led surge and improved defensive intensity — flipped the script.
Game 4 is set for Friday, June 13, in Indianapolis, where the Pacers will look to build on their 80.5% historical advantage: teams that win Game 3 of a 1-1 Finals go on to win the series 33 out of 41 times.
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