Pivotal Game 3: Pacers Outlast Thunder on Home Court
The Indiana Pacers punched back in the NBA Finals, not just winning Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder but flexing serious depth and resilience. On June 11, 2025, with the world watching, Indiana grabbed a 116-107 victory, taking a 2-1 series lead and putting themselves one solid performance away from the brink of their first NBA title in franchise history.
Things didn’t start smooth for the Pacers. The Thunder, coming in hot off a previous win, piled up a quick eight-point lead in the first quarter, outscoring Indiana 32-24. Oklahoma City kept pushing, especially with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trying to recreate his 34-point magic from Game 2. But this time, Indiana’s defense had answers. The home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse definitely felt the playoff tension, especially as the Thunder clawed their way back to tie the game at 64 in the third quarter. For a moment, it looked like OKC might steal another game on the road.
That’s when the Pacers’ second unit, led by Bennedict Mathurin, took over. Mathurin exploded for 27 points off the bench, giving Indiana life just when it looked like it might slip away. Tyrese Haliburton played like a floor general possessed, putting up 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds—just one board shy of a triple-double. Pascal Siakam did his thing too, adding 21 points and making key buckets when the Thunder threatened early in the fourth.
Bench Mob Changes the Game
If you had to pick one difference-maker, look no further than the Pacers’ bench. Indiana’s reserves outscored Oklahoma City’s backup squad 49-18. That gap can’t be overlooked. Every spark plug and role player stepped up, including T.J. McConnell’s defensive hustle and Andrew Nembhard’s timely shot-making. While OKC’s starters hung in for the first three quarters, their bench just didn't give them enough punch when it mattered most.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault watched as his reserves got run off the floor, especially in those critical late minutes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, after shining bright in Game 2, couldn’t shake free from Indiana’s pressure—finishing with less of the dominance we saw earlier in the series. The Pacers outscored the Thunder by 12 in the fourth quarter, a stretch defined by quick ball movement, full-court pressure, and tough rebounding from the likes of Myles Turner.
What’s wild? Indiana is now 10-0 after losses since mid-March—every time they’ve stumbled, they’ve bounced right back. Coach Rick Carlisle said it best after the game: “Every time we've lost in the last three months, we've come back to win the next one.” That’s not just coach-speak, that’s a stat you can’t ignore—especially with Game 4 coming up in Indianapolis, where the city is buzzing about its team’s big chance.
As the Finals head into the crucial next matchup, the Pacers hold the cards, but the Thunder aren’t going to just fade out. Oklahoma City needs more from its bench and a sharper game plan if it hopes to even things up. This series is starting to show why depth—in every sense—wins playoff games, and maybe championships.
