NBA Finals Takeways: Pacers Go Wild, Fast And Fearless To Seize Game 3

Game 3 of the NBA Finals looked like a defining moment, not just for the Indiana Pacers but for the series itself. Here are three takeaways from the Pacers’ 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder that gave Indiana a 2-1 series lead.

1. Bench Bunch Changed Everything

Bennedict Mathurin didn’t just give Indiana a spark. He gave them a flamethrower.

The second-year guard poured in 27 points off the bench — more than the entire Thunder second unit (18) — becoming just the fourth reserve in NBA Finals history to lead all scorers. And it wasn’t just him. T.J. McConnell added 10 points, five assists, five steals and a boatload of chaos.

McConnell’s energy flipped the game early in the fourth, with a layup-steal-layup sequence that sent Gainbridge Fieldhouse into orbit. This was vintage Pacers playoff basketball — wild, fast, and fearless. Indiana’s bench outscored OKC’s 49-18. Game, set, tone.

2. Haliburton Found His Groove Again

After two so-so games in OKC, Tyrese Haliburton looked like himself again in front of the home crowd, and that’s bad news for the Thunder.

Haliburton finished with 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. He orchestrated the offense with pace and flair, and even grabbed a key board or two in the clutch. This wasn’t just numbers. It was feel, control, tempo. The type of performance Indiana needs if it’s going to pull off the upset in this series.

Oh, and the Pacers are now 10-0 since mid-March following a loss. Might be time to stop doubting their bounce-back game.

3. OKC Got Blitzed And Looked Gassed

The Thunder had led 94 of the first 96 minutes in the NBA Finals. Then they got dropped into the deep end.

Oklahoma City committed 17 turnovers, six by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Chet Holmgren started strong but was shut down late. He went just 1-of-5 shooting in the fourth, including back-to-back swats by Myles Turner. The Thunder managed just 18 points in the fourth quarter, and looked visibly gassed.

Coach Mark Daigneault cycled through 11 players in the first half trying to find answers. He then stuck with eight in the second, a rotation reminiscent of their Game 7 win over Denver. But even those eight looked overwhelmed by Indiana’s pace.

Game 4 is Friday, and the Thunder face a series-defining test. Shrink the rotation? Change the tempo? Trust the stars to outlast Indy’s depth and speed?

All will need to be answered on Friday.