Wafric News - June 13, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers didn’t just win Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals — they made a statement. And that statement didn’t come from All-Star Tyrese Haliburton or seasoned forward Pascal Siakam. It came from the second unit — a fearless, high-energy group that turned the game on its head and pushed Indiana to a 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“In all honesty, our second group really won us the game,” Haliburton said postgame.

Indeed, it was the Pacers' bench that changed everything at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday night. Indiana’s reserves outscored Oklahoma City’s 48-19 — a difference that ultimately proved decisive in a tightly contested match.

Leading that charge was Bennedict Mathurin. The young swingman erupted for a career playoff-high 27 points — tying a franchise postseason record off the bench and etching his name among Finals legends like Manu Ginóbili and Jason Terry. Mathurin shot 9-of-12 from the field, drew seven fouls, and added seven free throws in just 22 minutes of play.

For Mathurin, the performance carried personal significance. After missing the entire 2024 postseason due to a torn shoulder, he had circled this moment on the calendar — literally.

“After the surgery, he came in every day and tore off a page from this countdown calendar in the training room,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “He was counting down the days until he could be here again.”

Now back and thriving on the biggest stage, Mathurin didn’t hesitate to seize his opportunity.

“When he's aggressive and active on both ends, everything just flows for him,” Siakam said. “It looked easy tonight.”

While Mathurin supplied the points, backup guard T.J. McConnell brought the chaos — and the crowd to its feet. In just 18 minutes, McConnell tallied 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals, becoming the first reserve in NBA Finals history to hit those marks.

Three of those steals came in the first four minutes of the second quarter, sparking an 11-2 run that flipped the momentum Indiana’s way. Two led directly to points, vital in a game ultimately decided by single-digit margins.

“You have to bring that fire,” McConnell said. “It’s the NBA Finals. If we don’t show up with energy, we’re doing a disservice to our fans and this team.”

The energy was contagious. Obi Toppin brought thunderous athleticism on both ends. Rookie Ben Sheppard delivered gritty defensive minutes. And Andrew Nembhard helped contain league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was held in check for key stretches.

“We didn’t start the way we wanted,” Haliburton admitted. “But our bench gave us a burst. We just rode that wave the rest of the way.”

The Pacers have been praised all season for their explosive offense and Haliburton’s creativity. Siakam’s presence has added playoff muscle. But Game 3 underscored what Carlisle and his stars have long said defines Indiana’s identity: depth.

“This is who we are,” Carlisle said. “It won’t always be the same guys doing the scoring, but we’re a team built to do this together — and tonight, our bench was huge.”

The win gives Indiana a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, and it puts the pressure firmly on Oklahoma City heading into Game 4 on Friday. While repeating this kind of bench dominance won’t be easy, the Pacers know they have options — and momentum.

“When your team is this deep, it can be anybody’s night,” Haliburton said with a smile. “Tonight it was the second unit. On Friday? We’ll see. But we like our chances.”