The Indiana Pacers converted Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a testing ground in a high-stakes Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 on Wednesday night to capture a vital 2-1 series lead.

Chet Holmgren and Luguentz Dort gave the Thunder early momentum, which helped them grab a 32–24 lead in the first quarter. They seemed to put Indiana on its heels with their strong defense and quick-paced offense. However, Indiana's deep bench caused a sharp change in momentum in the second quarter. During the span, Bennedict Mathurin scored 14 points off the pine, while experienced guard T.J. McConnell's effort, steals, and court vision upset OKC's flow. Throughout the game, the Pacers bench outscored the Thunder's reserves by an incredible 49–18 margin, which ultimately proved to be the difference.

With All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton finishing with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, the Pacers pulled off a remarkable 32–18 run to end the game after falling behind by five points going into the fourth quarter. In crucial moments, Mathurin maintained his scoring rampage, finishing with 27 points, the most any reserve has scored in the NBA Finals since 2011's Jason Terry. In a well-rounded Indiana offense, Pascal Siakam contributed 21 points of his own.

The Thunder, meanwhile, found it difficult to hang on in the closing minutes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 points) and Jalen Williams (26 points) spearheaded the scoring effort, but OKC shot only 35% in the last quarter and made 19 turnovers. After the game, Indiana "simply outplayed us over the course of 48 minutes," according to coach Mark Daigneault.

“This is how we’ve got to do it,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “Different guys stepping up each night. Tonight, the bench won us that game.”

With the victory, Indiana is now two wins away from winning its first NBA championship as a team. Now that Game 4 is scheduled for Friday night in Indianapolis, the Thunder are under pressure to react.

Haliburton reflected on the team,  “We just had guys make plays after plays… Our bench was amazing.”

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