Rockin' the Rafters: Mathurin's Phenomenal Performance Propels Pacers Over Thunder
Pacers Bask in the Thrill of Mathurin's Stunning Reveal
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The NBA playoffs are serving up some serious heart-pounding action - electrifying games, star showdowns from both squads, and an underdog that's making some serious noise. The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Isaiah Hartenstein, have stumbled twice in the face of the Indiana Pacers, losing the second match by a score of 107:116. This puts them at a 2-0 deficit in the best-of-seven series. The Thunder had a surprise defeat in their initial home match, making it tough to claim the trophy. The next battle between the teams is set to take place in Indianapolis once again, in the early hours of Saturday morning. If the Pacers win, it will be their first-ever NBA championship.
"Fantastic! Fantastic! It's a blast playing in front of our crowd. The fans deserve top-notch basketball. What a great win," exclaimed Tyrese Haliburton, leader of the Pacers, following the team's first home game in an NBA finals since 1998. "We've all got our challenges, but we've all stayed focused, kept fighting."
Pacers Outmuscle Thunder in the Fourth Quarter
Unlike their first loss, when the Thunder surrendered a double-digit lead and the game in the closing seconds, this defeat was more of a nail-biter. Oklahoma City took the early lead, but the Pacers still trailed by four points at halftime. The lead changed hands several times in the second half before Indiana pulled away in the final minutes.
It was Bennedict Mathurin, the bench player for the Pacers, who stole the show with a whopping 27 points. Mathurin nailed nine of his twelve shots, demonstrating his unstoppable scoring prowess. "Ben Mathurin was incredible off the bench today," praised Haliburton, who scored 22 points and dished out 11 assists. Jalen Williams put up 26 points for OKC, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 24. Hartenstein scored only four points and grabbed three rebounds in 18 minutes of game time.
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Enrichment Data (15%):
Bennedict Mathurin is an emerging star in the NBA, swiftly making a name for himself with the Indiana Pacers. Drafted by the Pacers in the 2022 NBA draft, he's been drawing attention for his impressive scoring abilities. Recognized for his recent contributions to the Pacers' success in the 2025 NBA Finals, Mathurin pulled off a remarkable playoff career-high performance in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He scored 27 points on 9-12 shooting from the field, sinking 2 three-pointers and grabbing 4 rebounds, all in a single game.1,2
This season, Mathurin's impact on the team has been significant, boosting the morale and providing a powerful scoring punch. His ability to score efficiently and hit crucial shots has played a vital role in the Pacers' victories, helping them secure a 2-1 lead in the series against the Thunder.2
As Mathurin continues to learn from last season's playoff run, despite being sidelined due to an injury, he has used those lessons to prepare for the pressure-packed games in this year's playoffs, evident in his standout performance.3
- The Indiana Pacers' victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA playoffs was led by the impressive performance of Bennedict Mathurin, who scored a remarkable 27 points.
- Bennedict Mathurin's career-high playoff performance, fueled by his efficient scoring ability and clutch shots, has played a significant role in the success of the Indiana Pacers during the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
