Pacers vs Thunder: Finals Lead & Role Player Impact
- The Indiana Pacers, known for their blend of strategy and resilience, secured a 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in game 3 of the NBA Finals.
- indiana overcame a nine-point deficit with less than three minutes remaining in Game 1 against Oklahoma City.
- Back home, Tyrese Haliburton nearly achieved a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds.
The Indiana Pacers surged ahead in the NBA finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in game 3, largely thanks to their dominant role players. Bennedict Mathurin’s explosive 27 points and T.J. mcconnell’s all-around brilliance, highlighted by key steals and assists, fueled a critical victory. The Pacers’ bench outscored the Thunder’s by a massive margin, 49-18, proving decisive in their effort to secure the lead in the series.Tyrese Haliburton’s near triple-double underscored the team’s depth. This game demonstrated the critical importance of the bench in this NBA Finals run. News Directory 3 continues to bring you the latest updates.Will the Pacers’ bench magic continue in Game 4, or will the Thunder strike back? Discover what’s next …
Pacers’ Role Players Shine in NBA Finals Game 3 victory
Updated June 12, 2025
The Indiana Pacers, known for their blend of strategy and resilience, secured a 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in game 3 of the NBA Finals. Coach Rick Carlisle’s willingness to utilize a deep rotation has kept the Pacers fresh, allowing them to maintain a fast-paced offense.
indiana overcame a nine-point deficit with less than three minutes remaining in Game 1 against Oklahoma City. According to the Associated press, teams in that position had previously been 0-121. The Pacers’ comeback matched the largest fourth-quarter comeback in an NBA Finals game in the past 50 years.
Back home, Tyrese Haliburton nearly achieved a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds. However, the Pacers’ role players stole the show. The second unit outscored the Thunder’s bench 49-18, proving their value in this NBA Finals run.
“We just had guys make plays after plays,” Haliburton said. “Our bench was amazing.”
Bennedict Mathurin led all scorers with 27 points in just 22 minutes. Obi Toppin added eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while T.J. McConnell contributed 10 points, five assists, and five steals. Mathurin’s +16 plus-minus rating was second to Toppin’s +18.
McConnell’s energy and defensive prowess where key. He repeatedly scored or assisted, then stole the inbounds pass. He and Mathurin provided a spark that the Thunder couldn’t match. Mathurin carried the scoring load, while McConnell disrupted Oklahoma city’s offense and pushed the pace.
“We really needed that boost, especially in the second quarter,” Haliburton told NBATV.”Our second unit came in and brought energy. When T.J.gets those steals, the building really gets into it. Ben was amazing… Our whole second group did. Honestly, our second group really won us the game.”
While Haliburton is central to the Pacers’ success, Mathurin and McConnell played pivotal roles in taking a 2-1 series lead.
What’s next
The Pacers will look to continue their strong play from their bench in Game 4 as they seek to move closer to their first NBA championship.