Indiana Pacers Rally in Fourth Quarter to Win Recreation 3 of 2025 NBA Finals

On June 11, Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electrical as the Indiana Pacers hosted their first NBA Finals recreation in 25 years. With the collection in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder tied at one recreation apiece, the stakes had been excessive for Recreation 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals. What unfolded was a dramatic back-and-forth battle that ended with the Pacers pulling off a 116-107 victory, giving them a 2-1 collection lead and a momentum shift heading into Recreation 4.

The Pacers delivered a masterclass in resilience, overcoming a late-game deficit by dominating the fourth quarter 32-18. Led by Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Pascal Siakam, Indiana capitalized on their home-court benefit and bench depth to stun the Thunder and delight their followers.

Early Thunder Momentum Slips Away

The Thunder got here out firing within the first quarter, fueled by Chet Holmgren’s 13-point opening interval. Oklahoma Metropolis outscored the Pacers 32-24 to determine early management. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams offered regular assist because the Thunder seemed to set the tone on the highway.

Nonetheless, the Pacers answered within the second quarter with a blistering 40-point effort. Their offense surged behind bench manufacturing and fast-paced ball motion, resulting in a 64-60 halftime benefit. Regardless of their early dominance, the Thunder’s protection started to indicate cracks, and Indiana capitalized.

In Recreation 2, the Thunder received a wire-to-wire blowout win over the Pacers. Early in Recreation 3, they carried that momentum. Nonetheless, the Pacers managed to show the tide within the second quarter. That flip proved to be a everlasting shift within the recreation.

Thunder Reclaim Management within the Third

Within the third quarter, Oklahoma Metropolis regrouped and managed to outscore Indiana 29-20. Jalen Williams discovered rhythm, scoring in bunches, and Gilgeous-Alexander helped regular the offense regardless of rising defensive strain. By the tip of the third, the Thunder led 89-84 and seemed poised to steal a recreation on the highway.

Williams seemed to be properly on his strategy to main the Thunder to a win, himself. Not solely would a Recreation 3 win have given Oklahoma Metropolis a 2-1 lead within the collection, however it might’ve additionally allowed them to regain house court docket benefit.

But Gilgeous-Alexander’s rising turnover tally, which reached six by recreation’s finish, hinted at a broader downside—the Thunder’s offense was turning into stagnant and error-prone underneath strain.

Haliburton and Mathurin Lead Pacers’ Fourth Quarter Comeback

The fourth quarter belonged to Indiana. The Pacers tightened defensively, pressured turnovers, and turned damaged Thunder possessions into transition factors. Outscoring the Thunder 32-18 within the closing body, Indiana sealed their comeback in commanding style.

Tyrese Haliburton was the catalyst, delivering 22 factors, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists—almost a triple-double. His management on each ends of the ground fueled the run, whereas his orchestration of the offense stored OKC’s defenders guessing.

Bench spark Bennedict Mathurin erupted for 27 factors, punishing the Thunder’s second unit and offering the type of depth each Finals group wants. Pascal Siakam added 21 factors, providing dependable scoring and veteran poise.

Thunder Stars Wrestle Down the Stretch

Regardless of placing up sturdy numbers—24 factors for Gilgeous-Alexander, 26 for Jalen Williams, and a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double for Holmgren—the Thunder had been outplayed within the fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander tried simply three photographs within the closing 12 minutes, making just one. His passive end, compounded by his six turnovers, stifled OKC’s probabilities of closing the sport.

The group as a complete struggled to adapt to Indiana’s defensive changes, failing to match their physicality or tempo. OKC’s bench, which was outscored 47-18, offered little aid.

Statistical Breakdown: Indiana Dominates Key Areas

Indiana shot 51.8% from the sector, in comparison with OKC’s 46.8%. Whereas the Thunder had been higher from past the arc (45.5% to Indiana’s 33.3%), they couldn’t make up the distinction inside. The Pacers additionally went 19-for-22 from the free-throw line (86.4%), in comparison with the Thunder’s 76.7%.

The Pacers tallied 24 assists, 13 steals, and 11 blocks—proof of their depth and management. Additionally they pressured 17 turnovers, changing many into fast-break factors. The Thunder, with simply 16 assists and 6 steals, lacked the cohesion wanted to climate Indiana’s late-game surge.

Historic Second for Indiana Basketball

Recreation 3 marked the primary NBA Finals recreation in Indianapolis for the reason that 12 months 2000. Gainbridge Fieldhouse was full of an energized crowd, feeding into the Pacers’ run. The victory not solely gave the Pacers a 2-1 lead within the collection but additionally underscored their development and legitimacy as Finals contenders.

The house court docket, lengthy a dependable edge for Indiana, proved decisive as soon as once more. The followers roared via each clutch play, culminating in a defining second for the franchise’s loyal base.

Tonight, the Indiana Pacers made franchise historical past for the second time in these NBA Finals. With Recreation 1, the Pacers took the franchise’s first ever 1-0 lead within the Finals. Then, in Recreation 3, the Pacers’ win each gave them their first-ever Finals 2-1 lead and tied their win whole from their earlier Finals look.

What’s Subsequent: Recreation 4 and the Street Forward

With Recreation 4 set for June 13, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the strain is on the Thunder to even the collection. The Pacers, now up 2-1, will look to push Oklahoma Metropolis to the brink earlier than heading again on the highway.

Indiana’s changes, bench manufacturing, and Haliburton’s management have them in prime place. For OKC, fixing turnover points and reestablishing Gilgeous-Alexander as a better will probably be vital. All through the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Pacers are undefeated after taking a loss. Nonetheless, the identical might be stated for the Thunder.

Some have in contrast this collection to the Thunder’s second spherical matchup in opposition to the Denver Nuggets. In that collection, the Nuggets gave OKC a match. Nonetheless, they figured the Nuggets out and located a strategy to win the collection. To date, they’re nonetheless looking for these options vs. Indiana.

The 2025 NBA Finals proceed to ship thrilling basketball and surprising heroes. If Recreation 3 was any indication, Recreation 4 guarantees much more fireworks because the battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy heats up.