"Off the Bench, On Fire" - Mathurin's Incredible Performance propels Pacers ahead in NBA Finals
Pacers reveling in Mathurin's unexpected revelation.
Twitter LinkedIn E-Mail Print Copy Link
The NBA Finals are delivering high-octane action, featuring intense basketball games, duels between star players from both teams, and a clear underdog storyline. In a surprising turn of events, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Isaiah Hartenstein, have stumbled twice in a row against the resilient Indiana Pacers.[O1]
In their second loss, the Thunder faced a 107:116 defeat in their away game, finding themselves trailing for the second time in the best-of-seven series. The first defeat was a heartbreaking loss in an overtime session at their home arena. To secure the championship, a team needs four wins. The next confrontation between the two teams is scheduled for a showdown in Indianapolis this Saturday during the German night.[O1] A victory for the Pacers would mark their maiden championship in their history.
After Indiana's triumph in their first home game in an NBA final in 25 years, Pacers leader Tyrese Haliburton shared his enthusiasm. "Fantastic. Fantastic. Performing in front of our home crowd is amazing. The people here deserve great basketball. It's a fantastic win," Haliburton said excitedly. "We all have our struggles, but we all kept our heads down and kept pushing forward."[O1]
Pacers seize the advantage in the final stretch
Contrary to their initial home loss, the defeat at the hands of the Pacers in Game 3 was less of a surprise, given the course of the game. Oklahoma City started off strong but was already four points behind at halftime. Throughout the second half, the lead changed several times before the hosts seized the decisive advantage in the final minutes.[O1]
The game's top scorer was unexpectedly Bennedict Mathurin with 27 points for the Pacers. This impressive feat was achieved by Mathurin connecting on nine of his twelve shots. "Ben Mathurin was incredible off the bench today," Haliburton commended, contributing 22 points and 11 assists himself. For the Thunder, Jalen Williams netted 26 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points. Hartenstein managed four points and three rebounds in 18 minutes on the court.[O1]
- NBA
- Basketball
- Basketball Finals
Enrichment Data:
Bennedict Mathurin, a 22-year-old Canadian basketball star, was born in Montreal, Canada. Currently, he plays as a small forward for the Indiana Pacers. Mathurin made history in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, notching up an impressive 27 points off the bench, helping the Pacers take a 2-1 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Mathurin's performance was particularly noteworthy because he made 9-of-12 shots, 2-of-3 three pointers, and 7-of-8 free throws in only 22 minutes of gameplay.[O2][O3]
Mathurin's vital contributions as a key reserve player were crucial in the Pacers' victory, with their bench outscoring the Thunder's bench by a margin of 49-18. His impressive performance, combined with T.J. McConnell's 10 points, five assists, and five steals, greatly bolstered the Pacers' second unit.[O2][O3]
Mathurin's scoring output was remarkable not only for his efficiency but also because he became the first player in NBA Finals history to score that many points in a single game while playing 22 minutes or fewer.[O2][O3] His contributions were fundamental in overcoming the Thunder's initial edge and securing an important victory for the Pacers.[O2][O3]
[O1] Source: ntv.de, tno/dpa[O2] Bennedict Mathurin's incredible NBA Finals performance stats - Sportskeeda (link)[O3] Bennedict Mathurin sets the stage for Indiana Pacers' Fightback in NBA Finals Game 3 - YahooSports (link)
In the ongoing NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers continue to deliver high-octane action, with Bennedict Mathurin's surprising 27-point performance in Game 3 propelling his team ahead, securing a 2-1 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. This impressive feat by Mathurin, who made 9-of-12 shots, 2-of-3 three-pointers, and 7-of-8 free throws in just 22 minutes, marks a significant contribution to the basketball playoffs.
