Canada’s Mathurin scores 27 off the bench as Pacers rally past Thunder in Game 3 of NBA Finals

Bennedict Mathurin of Montreal shone bright for the Indiana Pacers as they reclaimed the lead in the NBA Finals with a 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3. Mathurin scored an impressive 27 points coming off the bench, while Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points along with 11 assists and nine rebounds. Pascal Siakam also contributed with 21 points, and the Pacers dominated with a 49-18 advantage in bench points.

The Thunder put up a strong fight, with Jalen Williams scoring 26 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 24 points, and Chet Holmgren chipping in with 20 points. Despite leading by five going into the fourth quarter, the Thunder couldn’t hold off the Pacers’ relentless offense.

The Pacers, who had suffered a loss in Game 2, continued their trend of bouncing back strong after defeats, improving to a perfect 10-0 record since mid-March in games following a loss. Haliburton praised his teammates’ efforts, emphasizing the collective contribution from the entire roster.

Game 4 is set to take place back in Indiana on Friday night, with the Pacers now holding the advantage in the series. Statistically, the team that wins Game 3 in a tied NBA Finals series has gone on to win the championship 80.5% of the time, boding well for the Pacers’ title hopes.

The game itself was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with 15 ties highlighting the closely contested nature of the matchup. TJ McConnell’s all-around performance off the bench was particularly noteworthy, as he recorded 10 points, five assists, and five steals in a historic display of versatility.

Despite a late scare from the Thunder, the Pacers maintained their composure and closed out the game effectively. Aaron Nesmith’s hard foul on Alex Caruso was reviewed for a potential flagrant foul, but ultimately resulted in just two free throws for Caruso, who converted both to cut the lead to 110-104.

With the Pacers now in control of the series and the home crowd behind them, they will look to carry their momentum into Game 4 and inch closer to securing the NBA championship. The team’s depth and resilience have been key factors in their success, and they will be aiming to continue their strong play as the series progresses.