The Indiana Pacers made the most of their home advantage, pulling ahead in the final quarter to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-107, in Game 3. With this win, Indiana now leads the NBA Finals series 2-1, after snatching Game 1 with Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer-beater that secured a 111-110 victory. Despite a lackluster showing in Game 2, Haliburton found his rhythm from beyond the arc, steering Indiana to victory.
Tyrese Haliburton wrapped up the game with 22 points, shooting 9-of-17 and sinking four three-pointers. He was one rebound short of a triple-double, having dished out 11 assists. Defensively, Haliburton contributed with two steals and a block, proving his all-around impact in the game.
The series has showcased the importance of bench strength, and Pacers guard Benedict Mathurin stepped up to the plate. Mathurin led the team with 27 points, making an impressive 9-of-12 from the field and sinking 7-of-8 free throws in just 22 minutes. He added four rebounds and an assist to his stellar performance.
Pascal Siakam also joined the 20-point club, scoring 21 points after shooting 8-of-14 and hitting 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Siakam also contributed six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, further solidifying Indiana’s performance. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a challenging shooting day by his standards, hitting 9-of-20 from the field as Indiana’s defense kept him contained.
Gilgeous-Alexander still managed to score 24 points, alongside eight rebounds and four assists. Jalen Williams was Oklahoma City’s top scorer with 26 points on the evening. Chet Holmgren secured a double-double with 20 points, but he wished for more after a 6-of-15 shooting night, adding 10 rebounds and two assists.
The Pacers exploded with 40 points in the second quarter, but the Thunder were ahead 89-84 going into the final quarter. However, Oklahoma City’s offense faltered in the fourth, being outscored 32-18, a surprising turn for a team known for strong finishes. Both teams had similar stats overall, but Indiana’s ability to step up in the clutch moments made the difference.
The Pacers are looking to widen their lead in the series during Game 4, which will be played on their home court this Friday night. Both teams will need to adjust and bring their best performance to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Following the series, fans are eagerly tuning in to see which team will seize the momentum in this intense matchup.
Keep up with Fox News Digital’s sports updates on X, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for more insights. Scott Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, provides comprehensive coverage of these thrilling NBA Finals.
