Mathurin’s 27 Fires Pacers Past Thunder in Finals Game 3.
Pacers Break 25-Year Finals Home Drought with Game 3 Win.
Mathurin’s 27 Fires Pacers Past Thunder in Finals Game 3. Update: The series has since ended. Add the final result and a link to your series review here once verified.
Pacers 116, Thunder 107 | NBA Finals Game 3 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis | Wednesday 11 June 2025.
The Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to take a 2-1 series lead. It was Indiana’s first Finals game at home in 25 years, and they made it count.
Mathurin’s 27 Fires Pacers Past Thunder in Finals Game 3. Update: The series has since ended. Add the final result and a link to your series review here once verified.
Pacers 116, Thunder 107 | NBA Finals Game 3 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis | Wednesday 11 June 2025.
The Indiana Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to take a 2-1 series lead. It was Indiana’s first Finals game at home in 25 years, and they made it count.
Game recap
Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 points off the bench, Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and Pascal Siakam contributed 21. Indiana’s bench outscored Oklahoma City’s 49-18, with T.J. McConnell adding 10 points, five assists and five steals.
The Thunder led by five going into the fourth quarter, but Indiana won the period 32-18 and held Oklahoma City to 35% shooting. The Pacers had lost Game 2 in Oklahoma City, but they have now won ten straight games following a defeat.
Key performances
Indiana Pacers
Bennedict Mathurin: 27 points off the bench
Tyrese Haliburton: 22 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds
Pascal Siakam: 21 points
T.J. McConnell: 10 points, 5 assists, 5 steals
Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams: 26 points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 24 points
Chet Holmgren: 20 points
(Add Myles Turner’s line from the official box score.)
Why the Bench Decided Game 3
Finals games are often decided by stars, but Game 3 turned on depth. Indiana’s reserves outscored Oklahoma City’s 49-18, a gap that explains most of the final margin. Bennedict Mathurin led the way with 27 points, while T.J. McConnell added 10 points, five assists and five steals, a combination no reserve had previously produced in a Finals game.
The timing mattered as much as the numbers. The Thunder led by five going into the fourth quarter, yet Indiana won the period 32-18 and held Oklahoma City to 35% shooting. That closing burst answered concerns about Haliburton’s slow starts in the first two games.
The result also carried emotional weight. It was Indiana’s first Finals game at home in 25 years, played in front of 17,274 fans, and it put the Pacers a game clear in the series.
Historic Victory: Pacers Claim First NBA Finals Home Win in 25 Years Against Thunder.
Introduction
In a game that will be etched into the annals of NBA history, the Indiana Pacers finally broke their 25-year-long drought by clinching their first NBA Finals home victory since 1999.
With an electrifying 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers re-established their title credentials and reignited the hopes of a passionate Indiana fanbase. Bennedict Mathurin delivered a show-stopping performance with 27 points off the bench, Tyrese Haliburton orchestrated the offense with poise and finesse for 22 points, and Pascal Siakam’s 21-point contribution underscored his leadership.
This win has brought the series to 2-1, with the Thunder still leading, but the Pacers' home win not only altered the trajectory of this Finals clash but also evoked memories of a bygone era. From their last home Finals triumph led by Reggie Miller in 1999 to this moment, Indiana’s victory is a testament to resilience and rising talent.
Game Recap: Pacers Dominate in Must-Win Situation
First Half: Pacers Set the Tone
With their backs against the wall after two narrow losses in Oklahoma City, the Pacers came out with urgency. The energy from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd was palpable, and Indiana fed off it.
Tyrese Haliburton immediately set the tone, navigating the offense like a maestro. His 12 points in the first half were backed by brilliant distribution and clock management. Pascal Siakam added consistency on both ends, exploiting matchups with his versatility. However, it was Bennedict Mathurin who electrified the second quarter. Entering off the bench, he rattled off 14 points, including two critical three-pointers and a thunderous dunk that sent the arena into euphoria.
By halftime, the Pacers led 62-54, shooting a sharp 52% from the field and 40% from deep. Their ball movement and shot selection kept the Thunder defence scrambling.
Second Half: Thunder Push Back, But Pacers Hold Firm
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was not ready to back down. His third-quarter surge, where he scored 13 points and dished out 3 assists, brought the Thunder within three points. Alongside him, Chet Holmgren showcased his length and shooting ability, despite struggling with foul trouble.
Yet, every Thunder push was met with a timely Pacers answer. Mathurin continued his brilliance with clutch mid-range jumpers, while Myles Turner became a fortress under the rim, ending with 4 blocks. Aaron Nesmith’s grit and hustle, particularly in grabbing contested rebounds and diving for loose balls, played a pivotal role in closing out the quarter.
In the final minutes, a crucial 10-2 Pacers run—including a Haliburton-to-Siakam alley-oop and a corner three from Nesmith—sealed the deal. The final horn sounded with Indiana ahead 116-107, and the crowd roaring like it was 1999.
Key Performances
Indiana Pacers:
· Bennedict Mathurin: 27 points (10/16 FG), 5 rebounds, 2 assists – A breakout performance that cements his Sixth Man of the Year candidacy.
· Tyrese Haliburton: 22 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds – Floor general excellence, especially under pressure.
· Pascal Siakam: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists – Veteran leadership and clutch shot-making.
· Myles Turner: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks – Defensive anchor and reliable inside presence.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
· Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds – Relentless, but needed more support.
· Chet Holmgren: 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks – Effective when on court, hindered by fouls.
· Jalen Williams: 16 points, 6 rebounds – Solid, but faded in crucial moments.
Why This Win Matters
Breaking the 25-Year Curse: The last time Indiana won an NBA Finals home game, Reggie Miller led the charge. This win is more than a stat; it's a cultural moment for the franchise and fanbase.
Mathurin’s Emergence: Few expected the rookie to shine so brightly. His bench spark gave Indiana the edge and hints at a bright future.
Momentum Shift: The Pacers now have the chance to tie the series 2-2 in Game 4, also on their home court. Momentum is everything in a Finals series.
Haliburton's Rise: The All-Star guard has been building towards a signature moment—this may have been it. His leadership and calmness set the tone throughout.
Fan & Analyst Reactions
From fans to former players and analysts, the reactions poured in:
· Stephen A. Smith (ESPN): "Mathurin was UNSTOPPABLE. The Thunder had no answer."
· Charles Barkley (TNT): "This is why home-court advantage matters. The crowd lifted them."
· Social Media Buzz: #BelieveBlue trended nationwide as fans proclaimed: “This is our year!”
What’s Next?
All eyes now turn to Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With Indiana surging and OKC looking to recalibrate, several questions loom:
· Can Chet Holmgren stay out of foul trouble? The Thunder need his rim protection and shooting.
· Will OKC deploy more aggressive double teams on Haliburton?
· Can Mathurin maintain this level of production?
· Is Siakam poised to be the Finals MVP dark horse?
Upcoming Schedule:
· Game 4: Pacers vs. Thunder – Friday, June 14, 8:30 PM ET
· Game 5: Thunder vs. Pacers – Monday, June 17 (if necessary)
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a game—it was a defining moment for a franchise looking to rediscover its glory days. The Indiana Pacers didn’t just win Game 3—they made a statement. They can contend, they can excite, and they are very much alive in this NBA Finals.
As Game 4 approaches, Indiana has the chance to even the series and continue this remarkable journey. For Oklahoma City, it’s time to regroup and prepare for a tougher, more confident Pacers squad.
No matter the outcome, one thing is clear—the 2024 NBA Finals just turned into a true heavyweight clash.
What was the score in Pacers vs Thunder Game 3?
Indiana won 116-107 on 11 June 2025.
Who top-scored for the Pacers?
Bennedict Mathurin, with 27 points off the bench.
What was the series score after Game 3?
Indiana led 2-1.
Why was this game historic for Indiana?
It was the Pacers’ first NBA Finals game at home in 25 years.
How did the Pacers’ bench perform?
It outscored Oklahoma City’s bench 49-18, led by Mathurin and T.J. McConnell.
Where was the game played?
Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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