The Indiana Pacers Reclaim Lead in NBA Finals with Thrilling Game 3 Victory
======================================================================================
In a stunning turn of events, the Indiana Pacers regained control of the NBA Finals with a 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3, as reported by ESPN. The Pacers’ bench played a pivotal role in the victory, outscoring the Thunder’s reserves 49-18.
Bennedict Mathurin, the 22-year-old guard, led the charge with a game-high 27 points, a feat that marked him as the sixth player since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976-77 to score 25 or more points in the Finals at his age or younger, according to ESPN. Mathurin’s impressive performance was praised by teammate Tyrese Haliburton, who noted, “He did a great job of coming off handoffs, reading the pocket, rising up from the midrange. This is a defense that will give that up.”
The Pacers’ stars also stepped up, with Haliburton contributing 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam scored 21 points. The team’s depth was on full display, with T.J. McConnell scoring 10 points, adding five assists, and making a significant impact with five steals, as reported by ESPN.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle attributed the team’s success to their collective effort, stating, “This is the kind of team that we are. We need everybody to be ready. It’s not always going to be exactly the same guys that are stepping up with scoring and stuff like that, but this is how we got to do it. We got to do it as a team,” quoted in the ESPN article.
The win puts the Pacers in control of the series, with a 2-1 advantage. According to historical data, teams that win Game 3 of a 1-1 NBA Finals have gone on to win 80.5% of the time. The Pacers have also shown resilience, remaining unbeaten after a loss in the 2025 postseason, improving to 5-0, as noted by ESPN.
Mathurin’s growth as a player was a significant factor in the Pacers’ success. After being sidelined with a torn labrum in his right shoulder in March 2024, Mathurin dedicated himself to rehabilitation, according to ESPN. “As much as I was out last year, not being able to play, I learned a lot,” Mathurin said. “Just being on the bench and being next to the coaches who were able to run me through the game and stuff like that. It was an unfortunate situation, but I was fortunate enough to learn a lot and be ready for this year.”
The Pacers’ bench player added that he had placed a calendar in the team’s training room with a countdown to when he would finally be cleared to play. Carlisle recalled, “Every day he would come in and take one off, take one off. He was counting the days down to being cleared sometime in August. Then be able to begin training camp, begin 5-on-5 with our guys in September and then be in training camp, really, with his eyes firmly set on an opportunity in the playoffs,” quoted in the ESPN article.
The Pacers will look to seal the deal in Game 4, which takes place in Indianapolis on Friday night. With their depth and resilience on full display, the Pacers are well-positioned to make a strong push for the championship, as reported by ESPN.
Source link
