The Indiana Pacers seized a crucial 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals after overcoming the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 116-107 win in Game 3 on Wednesday night.
OKC started strong, building a 32-24 first-quarter lead and looking poised to regain control of the series. However, Indiana flipped the momentum in the second quarter with an explosive 40-28 run, turning the game in their favour by halftime.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again carried the Thunder, but the Pacers responded with a balanced attack. Despite a Thunder resurgence in the third quarter led by Shai’s 29-20 push, fatigue and poor finishing plagued OKC in the final period.
The Pacers took full advantage, locking down defensively and surging ahead with a dominant 32-18 fourth quarter. Bennedict Mathurin starred for Indiana with 27 points, outshining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 24 points on 9-of-20 shooting and committed six turnovers.
Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points and Pascal Siakam chipped in 21 to complete a strong team effort for the home side, which now takes a 2-1 advantage into Game 4.
