Pacers Rally Past Thunder in Fourth Quarter to Take 2-1 Lead in NBA Finals

Indianapolis, June 11, 2025 — The Indiana Pacers continued their postseason pattern of resilience by storming back in the final quarter of Game 3 to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-107, and seize a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.

This win wasn’t just a statement—it was a testament to Indiana’s depth, discipline, and refusal to fold under pressure.

🔥 Key Game Highlights:

Bennedict Mathurin: 27 points off the bench, giving Indiana a massive lift.
Tyrese Haliburton: Nearly posted a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds.
Pascal Siakam: Contributed 21 points and played a key role in keeping the offense moving.
Bench Dominance: Pacers outscored Thunder 49-18 in bench points.
Fourth Quarter Turnaround: Indiana outscored Oklahoma City 32-18 in the final frame.

🧱 The Pacers’ Formula for Success: Team Effort Over Star Power

Throughout their postseason run, Indiana has thrived on collective effort rather than relying solely on one or two players. Game 3 was no different.

Coach Rick Carlisle praised his squad’s depth, stating,

“This is the kind of team we are. It’s not always the same guys leading the way, but that’s what makes us dangerous.”

Mathurin’s explosive 27 points off the bench set the tone, but it was the combined effort of veterans and young players alike that helped Indiana stay afloat and then take over late.

📉 Thunder Falter After Strong Start

Oklahoma City entered the fourth quarter with a 5-point lead and seemed poised to take control of the series. But their offense stalled, and their defense couldn’t stop Indiana’s momentum.

Jalen Williams: Led OKC with 26 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Added 24 but struggled in the fourth quarter under heavy pressure.
Chet Holmgren: Scored 20, but acknowledged postgame that improvements are needed on both ends.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault admitted,

“We had a lot of good stretches, but they had more. They simply outplayed us.”

Oklahoma City, known for its strong finishes during the regular season (61-2 when leading after three quarters), has now dropped two games in this Finals series after leading entering the fourth.

🏀 Turning Point: The Final 12 Minutes

The defining feature of Game 3 was Indiana’s suffocating defense and efficient offense in the fourth quarter:

The Pacers held the Thunder to 35% shooting in the final frame.
Indiana forced key turnovers and made clutch baskets.
TJ McConnell’s stat line — 10 points, 5 assists, 5 steals — was historic; no other player has ever done that off the bench in an NBA Finals game.

Tyrese Haliburton summed it up best:

“We just had guys make plays after plays. Our bench was amazing.”

🎯 Historical Context: Game 3 Winners Have the Edge

If history is any indicator, the Pacers have placed themselves in an enviable position. In NBA Finals history, teams that win Game 3 when the series is tied 1-1 go on to win the championship over 80% of the time (33 of 41 cases).

That stat is now working in Indiana’s favor.

🏟️ Electrifying Atmosphere in Indy

This was the first NBA Finals game in Indianapolis in 25 years, and the fans brought an energy that matched the moment.

Basketball royalty like Reggie Miller, Oscar Robertson, and Caitlin Clark were in attendance, adding to the electric vibe.

The packed crowd got louder with each Pacers bucket in the fourth quarter, especially as the momentum shifted and the Thunder struggled to respond.

📊 By the Numbers:

Stat Category	Pacers	Thunder
Final Score	116	107
Bench Points	49	18
FG % (4th Quarter)	55%	35%
Total Assists	28	22
Turnovers	9	13

🧩 What’s Working for Indiana?

Depth: With bench players like Mathurin and McConnell stepping up, Indiana has more options when starters need rest or are having off nights.
Leadership: Haliburton is proving himself as a floor general and a clutch performer.
Coaching Strategy: Carlisle’s rotations and defensive adjustments have paid dividends, especially late in games.
Balanced Scoring: Six players scored in double digits, keeping the Thunder defense guessing all night.

⚠️ Concerns for Oklahoma City

Fourth Quarter Woes: Losing two of three games after leading into the final quarter shows vulnerability in closing out games.
Fatigue: The young core may be wearing down as Indiana keeps pushing the pace.
Lack of Bench Production: Only 18 points from the Thunder bench compared to Indiana’s 49 is a massive gap in contribution.

Holmgren noted postgame,

“There’s a lot of areas we can clean up. Everybody who stepped out there can be better.”

📅 What’s Next: Game 4 in Indianapolis

The Thunder will now look to even the series in Game 4, also in Indiana, on Friday night. For Oklahoma City, it’s a must-win to avoid going down 3-1 — a deficit that’s been insurmountable for most teams in Finals history.

🎙️ Final Word

The Pacers have turned a back-and-forth series into one where they now hold the upper hand, thanks to resilience, a deep bench, and smart execution when it matters most.

In a series many expected OKC to dominate, Indiana is rewriting the script — one quarter, one hustle play, and one win at a time.