Bennedict Mathurin Leads Pacers to Game 3 Win Over Thunder

The Indiana Pacers showed up with purpose on Wednesday night. In front of their home crowd, they pulled off a strong 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The energy inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric, and the team fed off it from the opening tip.

With this win, the Pacers now lead the series 2-1. Historically, that’s a big deal. Teams that win Game 3 after splitting the first two have gone on to win the Finals more than 80% of the time. Indiana is also showing resilience in this postseason. They’ve bounced back after every loss so far, now improving to 5-0 in those situations.

Mathurin’s breakout performance

The night belonged to Bennedict Mathurin. Coming off the bench, he dropped 27 points and lit a fire under the Pacers. It was the most by any reserve in a Finals game since Jason Terry back in 2011. At just 22 years old, Mathurin became only the sixth player in the modern NBA to score 25+ points in a Finals game at that age. The others on that list? LeBron, Kobe, Magic, Kawhi, and Tony Parker. Not bad company.

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Mathurin wasn’t just hitting shots. He was confident, decisive, and in full rhythm. He worked off screens, read the defense, and nailed midrange shots. His energy gave the Pacers a huge spark. After barely seeing the floor in Games 1 and 2, he made sure to stay ready.

“I was just waiting for my moment,” Mathurin said. “Whenever I’m on the court, it’s about doing the right things and helping the team win.”

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Haliburton and Siakam steady the ship

While Mathurin shined, the Pacers’ stars didn’t take a backseat. Tyrese Haliburton was just one rebound away from a triple-double. He finished with 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 boards. Pascal Siakam added 21 points and continued to be a tough matchup for Oklahoma City with his size and footwork.

Haliburton also praised his teammates after the game. “This is the strength of our team,” he said. “It can be anybody’s night. That’s how we’ve played all year, and it’s showing up again now.”

McConnell makes history

Another unexpected hero was T.J. McConnell. The veteran guard had 10 points, 5 assists, and a game-high 5 steals. It’s the first time in NBA Finals history that a player has put up that exact stat line. His defense, hustle, and pace were critical in keeping Indiana ahead in the second half.

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McConnell never lets up. He pressured ball handlers, poked away steals, and kept the Thunder guards uncomfortable. That kind of grit has become his trademark and makes a big difference in games like this.

Bench power shifts the game

Indiana’s bench outscored the Thunder’s 49 to 18. That’s a massive swing. Rick Carlisle’s rotations worked perfectly. He’s been preaching team-first basketball all season, and Game 3 was the best example of that.

“This is how we play,” Carlisle said. “It won’t always be the same guys who step up, but we need everyone to stay ready. That’s how we win.”

Mathurin’s comeback story

Mathurin’s moment was a long time coming. He was the No. 6 overall pick in 2022, and his rookie season showed flashes of what he could be. But in March 2024, he tore the labrum in his shoulder and missed the team’s playoff run. That stung. Watching from the sidelines, he learned the game in a new way.

He used that time to study, grow, and mentally prepare for another shot. Carlisle revealed that Mathurin kept a countdown calendar in the team’s training room. Every day, he would tear off a page, counting down to his medical clearance.

“He wanted this badly,” Carlisle said. “He was focused from day one. He’s earned this moment.”

That kind of commitment paid off. From rehab to being a Finals game-changer, Mathurin’s path is inspiring. And it’s just beginning.

Looking ahead to Game 4

The Pacers now look confident and calm. They haven’t lost two games in a row since early March. The Thunder will need to find answers fast. Game 4 is set for Friday night in Indianapolis, and the momentum has clearly shifted toward the home team.

With the series heating up and role players stepping up, this Finals battle is turning into something special. The Pacers, behind their rising star Mathurin, are not backing down.