Pacers Seize 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder

The Indiana Pacers took a 2-1 NBA Finals lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 116-107 Game 3 victory in Indianapolis. Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana's bench with a playoff career-high 27 points, and T.J. McConnell contributed 10 points, five assists, and five steals. Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, while Pascal Siakam scored 21 points, helping Indiana's bench outscore Oklahoma City's bench 49-18. The Pacers forced 19 turnovers, limiting the Thunder's offense and holding MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 24 points, with Jalen Williams leading Oklahoma City with 26. This win marked Indiana's first home Finals victory in 25 years and shifted momentum, as teams that win Game 3 of a tied NBA Finals series have gone on to win the championship over 80% of the time. Game 4 will be played Friday night in Indianapolis.