Pacers beat Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 (6/12/25) as Bennedict Mathurin & T.J. McConnell's historic bench play gives Indiana a 2-1 NBA Finals lead.
StatPro NBA Beat Reporter
In what will be remembered as the 'Bench Mob Game,' the Indiana Pacers are now just two wins away from their first-ever NBA championship. In a stunning turn of events, it wasn't the usual stars who sealed the deal in a pivotal Game 3. Instead, reserves Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell ignited a furious fourth-quarter rally, leading the Pacers to a 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder and a 2-1 series lead in the NBA Finals.
T.J. McConnell became the first reserve in NBA Finals history to record at least 10 points, five steals, and five assists in a game.
Entering the final 12 minutes down by five, the Pacers needed a spark. They got an inferno. The second unit, led by a fearless Bennedict Mathurin, completely flipped the script. Mathurin was an offensive force, relentlessly attacking the rim and hitting timely shots to finish with a team-high 27 points. The Pacers defense, spearheaded by T.J. McConnell's relentless pressure, locked down the Thunder, holding them to just 18 points. The result was a dominant 32-18 quarter that sent Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a frenzy and secured the crucial victory.
While Mathurin provided the scoring punch, T.J. McConnell was the heart and soul of the comeback. He delivered a performance for the ages, becoming the first reserve in NBA Finals history to post a stat line of at least 10 points, 5 steals, and 5 assists. His impact went far beyond the numbers; his hustle created turnovers, his court vision led to easy buckets, and his infectious energy was the catalyst for the entire team's turnaround. It was a legacy-defining game for the ultimate competitor.
With this win, the Pacers have seized control of the series. The pressure now shifts entirely to the top-seeded Thunder, who must find a way to win Game 4 on the road to avoid a daunting 3-1 deficit. What makes this victory so profound is that it came on a quiet night for starters like Tyrese Haliburton (5 points) and Pascal Siakam (7 points). It's a testament to the team's depth and 'next man up' mentality—the very qualities that define a champion. Indiana is now tantalizingly close to capturing that elusive NBA title.
With Gainbridge Fieldhouse still buzzing, all eyes now turn to Friday night's Game 4. The Pacers have a golden opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 series lead and push the Thunder to the absolute brink. Can the starters find their rhythm? Can the bench bring that same energy? One thing is certain: this team has proven its resilience, and with just two more wins, they can bring an NBA championship to Indiana for the first time ever. The dream is alive.
