A Surprising Twist: Bennedict Mathurin Shines as Indiana Pacers Take Command in NBA Finals
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Indiana Pacers Revel in Surprise Unveiling of Mathurin
The Oklahoma City Thunder, held by Isaiah Hartenstein, are in a tough spot after suffering their second defeat to the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, now trailing 2-0. Although they were the favorites, they stumbled in both games—the first one at home and the recent one away, with a disappointing 107:116 loss.
The next game will take place in Indianapolis on Saturday morning, German time, giving the Pacers a chance to secure their first championship ever.
"Fantastic, fantastic, playing in front of our fans—we love it here! The people deserve great basketball. What a fantastic win," said Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers' leader, following their home game in the NBA Finals since 1998. "We've all faced challenges, but we kept our composure and pressed on."
Pacers Pull Away in the Final Quarter
While the home loss at the beginning of the NBA Finals was unexpected due to a double-digit lead that was lost in the final seconds, the loss to the Pacers was less of a shock given the flow of the game. Oklahoma City took an early lead, but they entered halftime already four points behind. The lead exchanged hands multiple times in the second half, and the Pacers eventually pulled away in the final minutes.
Unexpectedly, Bennedict Mathurin led the game in scoring for the Pacers, netting 27 points off 9-12 shots. Haliburton himself scored 22 points and recorded 11 assists. For Oklahoma City, Jalen Williams had 26 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 24. Hartenstein managed only 4 points and 3 rebounds in 18 minutes on the court.
The Canadian Forward's Breakout Performance
Bennedict Mathurin, a 22-year-old forward from Montreal, Quebec, has been a sparkling contributor off the bench for the Pacers in the NBA Finals [1]. In Game 3 of the Finals against Oklahoma City, Mathurin shined brightest, leading the team with 27 points and leading the Pacers' bench, which significantly outscored Oklahoma City's, 49-18 [1].
Mathurin's impressive ability to score efficiently while boosting the team's energy has been instrumental to the Pacers' success in the playoffs and particularly in the NBA Finals [1][2].
[1] ntv.de, tno/dpa
[2] [Enrichment Data: Overall] - Bennedict Mathurin, a 6’5” Canadian forward for the Indiana Pacers, plays college basketball at the University of Arizona before being drafted by the Pacers. In the 2024-25 NBA season, Mathurin appeared in 72 games, averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. During the 2025 NBA Finals, Mathurin has been a key contributor off the bench for the Pacers. In Game 3 of the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he led the team with 27 points, providing a massive boost and helping Indiana to reclaim the series lead with a 116-107 victory. His performance was crucial, especially as the Pacers dominated bench scoring with a 49-18 edge, underlining Mathurin’s impact as the leader of their second unit. Mathurin’s ability to score efficiently and energize the team off the bench has been vital to the Pacers’ success during their playoff run and particularly in the NBA Finals.
Sports fans are excited as the Indiana Pacers took command in the NBA Finals, leading 2-0 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In Game 3, the Pacers' Canadian forward, Bennedict Mathurin, shone brightest, leading the team with 27 points, showcasing his impressive ability to boost the team's energy in basketball playoffs. NBA analysts commend Mathurin's efficient scoring and energetic contributions, further highlighting his significant role in the Pacers' success during the playoffs and the NBA Finals.
