The Indiana Pacers take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals, shaking up the league
Pacers Score in Game 3, Securing Lead in their Brawl for the Ring
A sensational 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on home turf has given the Indiana Pacers a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. The action now heads to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the fourth game on Friday, with the series shifting back to Oklahoma for the fifth game.
Indiana, who boast a 32-18 record in the final quarter of games, may never have hoisted the coveted Larry O'Brien Trophy - their three ABA titles notwithstanding - but they are defying the odds, making their first Finals appearance since 1998.
The game was nothing short of electrifying with nail-biting moments for both teams, with the Pacers ultimately securing a hard-fought win thanks to a collective effort. Young gun Tyrese Haliburton, on the verge of a triple-double (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists), led the charge, while bench player Benedict Mathurin (27 points) and T.J. McConnell (10 points, 5 assists, 5 steals) provided a much-needed boost. Pascal Siakam (21 points, 6 rebounds) was the consistency the team needed throughout.
On the other side, the Thunder struggled with 19 turnovers that gifted 21 points to the Pacers. The MVP of the season, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, faltered with 24 points, 8 rebounds and a career-high 6 turnovers. While Jalen Williams (26 points, 6 rebounds), Chet Holmgren (20 points, 10 rebounds), and Lu Dort (12 points, 4 of 5 from three) shone for Oklahoma, their bench managed a mere 18 points, contrasting with Indiana's impressive 49.
With the best regular season record in history (68-14), Oklahoma must recover quickly to avoid a daunting 3-1 deficit, a comeback from which only one team – the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers led by LeBron James – have ever returned to win the championship.
The Pacers surge forward in the NBA Finals
Indiana, a state known for basketball fever, got the chance to host the NBA Finals again after waiting for 25 years. The excitement in Indianapolis was palpable, and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse promised an exhilarating atmosphere. But the Thunder were not intimidated.
Sixteen-year-old center Chet Holmgren made a name for himself in the first quarter, showing off his impressive offensive skills. Jalen Williams and Lu Dort also impressed, with Dort shooting a perfect 3 of 3 from beyond the arc. Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, though, was not his usual self and scored only 6 points, but Oklahoma's relentless defense compensated, forcing 7 Indiana turnovers. Haliburton managed 5 points and 4 assists.
The 'Shai' factor reigns supreme in the NBA Finals
With a 24-32 scoreline, it was time for Indiana's reserves to step up, and they rose to the occasion, delivering an inspiring performance that transformed the game. T.J. McConnell was instrumental, with 3 steals and 6 points on offense, while Benedict Mathurin was relentless, scoring 14 points. This revitalized rotation helped Indiana overcome a 15-4 deficit, swiftly reversing their performance from the previous game.
Rick Carlisle's squad stunned the crowd with a brilliant show of intensity, speed, and offensive brilliance, setting the scene for a tense battle. Oklahoma struggled to cope with the newfound momentum, gifting the ball six times and narrowly preventing a wider deficit thanks to Shai and Williams.
Haliburton led the Pacers into the half with a 64-60 advantage, helped by Mathurin (14 points), Haliburton (12 points and 7 assists), and Siakam (13 points). Holmgren, Shai, and Williams led the Thunder.
The visitors' third quarter was a triumphant return, with Mark Daigneault's tactical adjustments working wonders. Jalen Williams, in particular, was unstoppable, scoring 20 points to flesh out a remarkable comeback and take the game into overtime.
However, the Indiana Pacers refused to bow out, with Mathurin and McConnell rejuvenating the team with incredible energy. The final score saw the Pacers just edge ahead with a 107-100 victory, thanks to Thompson's impressive three-pointer in the dying moments. A dramatic fourth quarter saw the Pacers hitting 3 of 5 threes against the Thunder's dismal 0 of 4.
Enrichment Data:- 2025 NBA Finals Run: The Indiana Pacers' run in the NBA Finals represents a historic shift for the team, marking their first appearance in the championship since 1998. Their triumphant fightback in multiple games has turned them into underdogs who have surpassed expectations and made a mark in the most unlikely of ways. With the team's unique blend of youth and veteran players, they are creating a new narrative in the basketball world.- Team Records: As of the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers have amassed several team records that display their resilience and determination, including setting NBA records for the most fourth-quarter comebacks[1] and the largest fourth-quarter Finals comeback[2].
Sources
- Johnson, B. (2025, June 9). Indiana Pacers defy the odds in NBA Finals win over Oklahoma City Thunder. ESPN Sportscenter. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34375853/indiana-pacers-defy-odds-nba-finals-win-oklahoma-city-thunder
- Nash, R. (2025, June 9). Pacers come from behind to take 2-1 NBA Finals lead against Thunder. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/06/08/pacers-thunder-nba-finals-g3/37984314/
- Kim, S. (2025, June 9). Pacers pull off shocking comeback in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/pacers-pull-off-shocking-comeback-in-game-3-of-the-nba-finals/
- Adami, A. (2025, June 9). Pacers defeat Thunder in Game 3 of NBA Finals with hundreds of millions betting against them. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/pacers-defeat-thunder-game-3-nba-finals-hundreds-millions-betting-against-214019221.html
Indiana's average points scored during the final quarter of games (32) might suggest a normally balanced team, but their recent 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder indicates a significant surge in performance. In basketball, the NBA, particularly, the Pacers' triumph over the Thunder in Game 3 was a testament to their collective efforts, with Tyrese Haliburton on the brink of a triple-double (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists).
