Pacers Lean On Bench, Shooting to Outgun Thunder
The Indiana Pacers just made their loudest statement yet in the NBA Finals. Inside a packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse, you could feel the city buzzing as Indiana clinched a 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, claiming a crucial 2-1 series lead. The Pacers kept fans on their feet by mixing tough defense with red-hot shooting. Their secret? Outscoring the Thunder's bench 26-9, refusing to let up when the starters sat, and draining shots with a calm Oklahoma City just couldn't match.
Now, let’s talk about Bennedict Mathurin. The Pacers' young star was on fire, pouring in 27 points while barely missing (9-of-12 shooting). Every time the Thunder tried to claw back, he answered with a bucket or a big play. And while Mathurin made highlight reels, Tyrese Haliburton iced it late—nailing a deep three-pointer that turned the arena electric and made it clear this Pacers team wasn’t about to let their momentum slip.
Thunder's Fight Falls Short As Indiana Takes Control
Oklahoma City didn’t roll over. Jalen Williams did everything he could, finishing with 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting, flashing the offensive creativity that's carried his team all season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was right there with him, scoring 24 and dishing out seven assists. At one point, Gilgeous-Alexander drilled a defiant three-pointer in the final minutes, but the Pacers kept pace at every turn. Even a +7 rebounding advantage for the Thunder (45-38) wasn’t enough to make the difference.
Why couldn’t OKC push past the Pacers? Shooting. Indiana blistered the nets at a 52.3% clip from the floor and an impressive 40% behind the arc. Every time the Thunder looked poised to make a run, Indiana found answers. PJ McConnell quietly orchestrated the Pacers’ first-half charge, dropping defenders with a nasty crossover and knocking down a confident pull-up jumper. His energy off the bench kept Indiana rolling, especially when rest for the starters was precious.
Pacing themselves with smart defense and clutch offense, the Pacers overcame a size disadvantage on the glass. Their ball movement led to open looks, and the Thunder simply couldn't keep up on the perimeter. With the Pacers now one more home game away from a near-insurmountable lead, the pressure shifts squarely onto Oklahoma City ahead of Game 4. Expect a battle—because the Thunder aren't going out quietly, but Indiana looks more determined than ever to write a new chapter in their franchise history.
Jun, 12 2025