Thunder vs Pacers: Mathurin, Haliburton star as Indiana bounce back to down Oklahoma City, take 2-1 lead in NBA Finals
Bennedict Mathurin came off the bench to score 27 points, while Tyrese Haliburton added 22 as the Indiana Pacers bounced back from a heavy Game 2 defeat with a crucial 116-107 win over Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, reigniting their NBA Finals campaign.
The victory marked a historic moment for the franchise and their fans, who last witnessed a Finals win at home in 2000.
Haliburton also delivered 11 assists, and nine rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 21 points, and Indiana’s bench dominated with a 49-18 scoring edge.
The Pacers, now 10-0 following losses since mid-March, bounced back strongly after their Game 2 defeat in Oklahoma City.
“So many different guys chipped in,” Haliburton said. “Our bench was amazing.”
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 26 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24, and Chet Holmgren chipped in 20. Despite leading by five entering the fourth, Oklahoma City couldn’t hold off the Pacers’ surge.
The game was a classic thriller, featuring 15 ties — more than in all five games of last year’s Finals combined. TJ McConnell made history off the bench with 10 points, five assists, and five steals — a Finals first since those stats were officially recorded.
With the series now 2–1 in Indiana’s favor, history tilts their way: In the 41 previous NBA Finals tied 1–1, the Game 3 winner has gone on to win the title 33 times (80.5%). Game 4 tips off Friday in Indianapolis, where the Pacers will aim to tighten their grip on the series.