Indiana Pacers Take 2-1 Lead in NBA Finals with Win over Oklahoma City Thunder
Pacers Secure Crucial Victory
In a historic moment for the Indiana Pacers, the team returned to the NBA Finals after a 25-year hiatus and delivered a crucial 107-116 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The win places the Pacers just two victories away from claiming their first championship title.
Game Highlights
The Pacers exhibited a strong performance at home on the night of June 12, 2025. Following their earlier struggles in the series where they failed to maintain significant leads, Indiana returned to their winning form. The team dominated the second quarter with a score of 40-28 and continued to build momentum, winning the fourth quarter 32-18.
Tyrese Haliburton stood out once again, finishing the game with a remarkable stat line of 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists. This performance marked a significant achievement as he outplayed league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who managed to score 24 points alongside 8 rebounds and 4 assists, but struggled with 6 turnovers.
Key Players Shine
Benedict Mathurin showcased his talent by contributing 27 points on an impressive 75% shooting from the field, marking start of the best performances of his career. Pascal Siakam added depth to the team’s scoring with 21 points. T.J. McConnell also made a significant impact, particularly in the second quarter, finishing with 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals, which helped shift the game’s momentum in favor of the Pacers.
Historically, 80.5% of teams that have taken a 2-1 lead in the Finals have gstart on to win the championship, providing the Pacers with a promising outlook as they approach Game 4.
Thunder’s Performance
On the opposing side, Jalen Williams was the leading scorer for the Thunder with 26 points, but he struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 7 of 11 attempts. Chet Holmgren started strong but finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Luguentz Dort contributed with 12 points, including three three-pointers in the first quarter.
Despite the Thunder’s efforts, their bench struggled to make a significant impact, with no player surpassing double figures in scoring. In contrast, the Pacers’ bench dominated the scoring battle, outscoring Oklahoma City’s reserves 49-18.
Historical Context
Mathurin’s performance is particularly noteworthy as he became only the third player since the year 2000 to score 25 or more points off the bench in an NBA Finals game, joining the ranks of Jason Terry and Manu Ginóbili. Meanwhile, McConnell’s unique contribution marked him as the first bench player in Finals history to record at least 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a single game.
As the Pacers prepare for Game 4, scheduled to take place between Friday and Saturday, their momentum and home-court advantage will be critical as they aim for their first NBA championship title in franchise history