Mathurin Shines as Pacers Turn Up Heat Late
Game 3 of the NBA Finals brought an electric atmosphere to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and nobody thrived in it more than Bennedict Mathurin. The Pacers’ young guard put on a clinic, nailing 27 points on laser-sharp shooting and pulling down 4 rebounds. His efficiency was off the charts, connecting on 9 of his 12 attempts from the field and draining crucial threes when pressure peaked. Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ maestro, once again asserted control during crunch time. He orchestrated Indiana’s offense flawlessly, especially in the final frame where Indiana ran away with a 40-point explosion—nearly doubling the Thunder’s output in those decisive minutes.
The first half saw the lead seesaw, with each team landing haymakers. The Pacers' bench put their stamp on the contest in the second half, providing fresh legs and a flurry of points that kept Oklahoma City scrambling to adjust. Indiana’s defense also tightened up when it mattered, slowing down the Thunder’s All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with relentless pressure and smart rotations.
Thunder Falter in Key Moments
Oklahoma City looked strong for three quarters, leaning hard on Jalen Williams, who kept his team afloat with 26 points. His drives and mid-range jumpers gave the Thunder plenty of hope, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added a mix of scoring and playmaking despite being hassled every trip down the floor. But the Thunder’s biggest headache came on the boards. Rebounding woes let the Pacers reel in second-chance opportunities, and those extra chances slowly wore down OKC’s resistance.
The fourth quarter unraveled quickly for the Thunder. Indiana’s bench stepped up in a big way, and every stop on defense turned into a quick run-out or a shot at the rim. The Thunder’s offense couldn't keep pace as their rhythm was thrown off by strong Pacers rotations and hands in the passing lanes. Down the stretch, Oklahoma City’s decision-making under pressure started to crack, with rushed shots and turnovers becoming too frequent to survive this deep into the NBA Finals.
Expert breakdowns after the final buzzer focused on Indiana’s ability to adapt. The Pacers didn’t just stick to their game plan; they made bold tweaks when the Thunder started to find a groove. Whether it was tightening their defense, speeding up their attack, or unleashing their bench, Indiana seemed a step quicker when it counted most. With this win, the Pacers push ahead 2-1 in the series, putting the onus on Oklahoma City to respond and avoid falling into a deeper hole as the Finals now tilt in Indiana’s favor.
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