The Pacers — from their stars to their bench — were excellent in their Game 3 win to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Can the Thunder answer back in Game 4?
And just like that, the Pacers are up 2-1 in the 2025 NBA Finals over the favored Thunder.
The Pacers put in a strong, well balanced effort at both ends of the floor in Game 3 to win 116-107. Not only did Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam improve from their Game 2 performances, and the team’s defense levelled up to contain OKC when it needed to, but the Pacers’ bench gave them a huge lift as well.
Bennedict Mathurin was the biggest change for the second unit, exploding for a game-high 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting — the most in the Finals by a reserve since Jason Terry in 2011. Former Sixer T.J. McConnell thrived too, scoring 10 points and snatching five steals in 15 minutes.
The Thunder, of course, have already been in this position this postseason. They were down after three games against the Nuggets, and came back to win in seven games. OKC clearly has serious talent, versatility, and balance across their offense and defense to get back to the control they showed across the first two games. Apart from the latter minutes of Game 1’s drama, the Thunder were largely the better team through the first two games.
Can they return to that form against a Pacers team that’s only growing in confidence?
Watching this series as an impartial basketball fan, without the stress of having any rooting interest, has been a lot of fun. We should be in for another exciting matchup as OKC tries to avoid a dreaded 3-1 deficit and tie up the series.
NBA Finals Game 4 Details
When: Friday, June 13, 8:30 pm ET
Where: Gainbridge, Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Watch: TNT Sports
Follow: @LibertyBallers