by The 2025 NBA Finals shifted to Indianapolis, Indiana for Game 3 inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Both teams came into this game seeking the all-important Game 3 win and a 2-1 series lead, as history tends to favor the winner of this game. The Pacers came in led by all-star point guard Tyrese Haliburton after coming off a huge game-winner in Game 1 but had a quiet Game 2 with only 17 points and no comeback effort in the last showing. The Thunder were able to grab the critical Game 2 win after dropping Game 1 late at home. Oklahoma City was led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who finished with a game-high 34 points and four steals for OKC. The Thunder weathered the storm to tie the series at one game apiece behind their three-headed monster of SGA, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren all combining for 68 including going 21-23 from the charity stripe in the critical 123-107 win. The narrative shifted back to Indiana’s dominant stars and team-oriented style of basketball as they secured a close Game 3 win at home, 116-107, in a true NBA Finals classic.
First Quarter:
The opening quarter in Gainbridge Fieldhouse was very physical as we heard a lot of whistles in the first few minutes. Thunder’s young star center Chet Holmgren was aggressive early leading the charge for OKC with 13 points in the quarter including going 5-6 from the free-throw line. Pacers star forward Pascal Siakam led Indiana in scoring with seven early points as he was able to shoot at an efficient clip of 3-4 in the quarter. Forward Obi Toppin came in off the bench for Indiana bringing a spark on both ends of the floor as he finished the quarter with six points including two nice finishes in transition. Thunder’s Luguentz Dort was able to show off his range contributing with nine points going 3-3 from distance in the period. Both teams got going early in Game 3, but it was the Thunder with the slight edge 32-24 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter:
The second quarter began with the Pacers going on an 11-2 run sparked by their bench players. Backup point guard T.J. McConnell ignited the spark Indiana needed on the defensive end leading to offensive opportunities. The Pacer’s bench outscored the Thunder 26-9 in the period. Guard Bennedict Mathurin had a huge quarter scoring 14 points including knocking down a three-pointer and converting an “and one” layup. The Thunder went on a small run of their own to tie the game back up at 51 with just over three minutes left in the quarter. Thunder’s Jalen Williams was aggressive, drawing contact and getting to the free throw line shooting 5-7 from the line in the quarter. Despite the efforts by the Thunder, Indy’s offense was clicking on all cylinders as they were able to outscore OKC 40-28 in the period leading 64-60 at the half.
Third Quarter:
The third quarter was a tight battle between both teams seeing several ties throughout the period. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams both had nine points combining for 18 points in the quarter. Haliburton led with seven in the quarter which included a huge step back three-pointer. The turnovers for Indiana gave Oklahoma City more offensive possessions as they were able to capitalize throughout the quarter in transition. The game was tied at 83 when a timeout was taken with just over two minutes to go in the third. Oklahoma City was able to outscore Indiana 29-20 in the period as they regained a five-point lead 89-84 after three.
Fourth Quarter:
The fourth quarter continued to be a fight on both ends of the floor. The Pacers picked up their defensive efforts and scored on key possessions to tie the game multiple times again down the stretch of the fourth. Indiana’s defense forced 19 turnovers on Oklahoma City leading to 21 fastbreak points which gave them an enormous edge in their comeback midway through the fourth. Once the Pacers had the lead, it was now the question of whether they could manage it for the first time in this series. The pace of play slowed down as the Thunder started to get stops late and get fouled with the chance to score at the line with the clock stopped. OKC missed several key free throws as they tried to trim the Indiana lead down. The Pacers ended up outscoring the Thunder 32-18 in the fourth as they were able to manage the lead late. Indiana was able to regain home-court advantage as their bench came up big on both ends of the floor leading them to win the pivotal Game 3 116-107 taking the 2-1 lead in the series.
Key Performers:
Oklahoma City Thunder: MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 and Jalen Williams scored 26, respectively, combining for 50 points as all but one starter got into double figures scoring for the Thunder.
Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin came off the bench and led with a game-high and his personal playoff-high 27 points hitting two big three-pointers and converting an “and one” layup for the Pacers.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton exerted himself early and had a balanced game with 22 points and 11 assists, nearly having a triple-double with nine rebounds.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Caruso came off the bench and provided a spark leading the second unit with eight points including hitting two big three-pointers.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Center Chet Holmgren had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Indiana Pacers: TJ McConnell came off the bench and gave great energy on both ends of the floor finishing with 10 points, five assists, and five steals.
Key Stats:
- Tied Score: 15
- Lead Changes: 9
- Biggest Lead: 9 (Both)
- Rebounding: 42 – 36 (Oklahoma City)
- Points in the Paint: 50 – 48 (Indiana)
- Fastbreak: 17 – 10 (Indiana)
- FG%: 51.8% – 46.8% (Indiana)
- 3P%: 45.5% – 33.3% (Oklahoma City)
Next Up:
The Pacers won their biggest game of the season taking the series lead 2-1 over the favored Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3. Both teams will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana for Game 4 on Friday, June 13th at 8:30 PM EST.
