Pacers Take 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder

The Indiana Pacers took a 2-1 lead in the 2025 NBA Finals with a 116-107 Game 3 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, marked by a dominant fourth quarter and a decisive bench advantage. Bennedict Mathurin scored a playoff career-high 27 points off the bench, Tyrese Haliburton nearly had a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, and Pascal Siakam contributed 21 points. The Pacers' bench outscored the Thunder's reserves 49-18, with T.J. McConnell making key defensive plays. Indiana's defense held Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just three fourth-quarter points. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault and Gilgeous-Alexander cited Indiana's aggression as pivotal and promised adjustments for Game 4. With home-court advantage and strong late-game play, the Pacers are now two wins away from their first NBA championship.