INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers regained the lead in the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, after a 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the third game.
Mathurin and McConnell Lead Pacers
Bennedict Mathurin, off the bench, scored 27 points, the most for a substitute in an NBA Finals game since 2011. T.J. McConnell, for his part, added five steals, propelling the Pacers’ bench to outscore the Thunder’s bench 49-18. Tyrese Haliburton contributed 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 21 points. The Pacers now lead the series 2-1 over the Thunder.The Pacers are now in a favorable position in the series. Historically, teams that win the third game of the Finals (with a score of 1-1) have a high probability of taking the championship. In addition, Indiana maintains an undefeated record after a loss in the 2025 postseason, with a balance of 5-0. The fourth game will be played in Indianapolis on Friday night. Mathurin played a key role on Wednesday. He became the sixth player since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976-77 to score 25 or more points in the Finals at age 22 or younger, joining names like Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Tony Parker, Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.This is the kind of team we are. We need everyone to be ready. It won’t always be the same players who stand out with scores and things like that, but that’s how we have to do it. We must do it as a team.
Rick Carlisle, Pacers coach
McConnell was also key, with 10 points, five assists and five steals, numbers that no player has achieved in an NBA Finals game.He did a great job coming off screens, reading the spaces, elevating from the midrange. This is a defense that will allow him.
Tyrese Haliburton
Mathurin, who hadn’t had a prominent role in the first two games of the series, dedicated extra time to prepare.That’s the great thing about the Finals, the great thing about basketball. When you have a team with so much depth, it can be anyone’s night.
Tyrese Haliburton
This mentality is something the Pacers have seen in Mathurin since he was selected with the 6th overall pick in the 2022 draft, especially after a shoulder injury sidelined him in March 2024. The injury prevented him from playing during the Pacers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, and Haliburton commented on the importance of having Mathurin in the rotation this time.Just staying ready. When I get called upon, I get in the game and do the right things to help my team win. That’s the whole mentality.
Bennedict Mathurin
After last March’s injury, Carlisle revealed that Mathurin placed a calendar in the team’s training room with a countdown to his return.I learned a lot from not being able to play last year. Being on the bench and being next to the coaches who were able to guide me through the game and things like that. It was an unfortunate situation, but I was lucky enough to learn a lot and be ready for this year.
Bennedict Mathurin
Every day he came in and crossed off a day. He was counting down the days until he was allowed to play in August. Then to be able to start training camp, start practicing 5-on-5 with our guys in September and then be in training camp, really, with his eyes firmly set on a playoff opportunity. He’s putting in a lot of work to be ready for these moments, and tonight was a big factor.
Rick Carlisle, Pacers coach
