The Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals with a thrilling 116-107 win on Wednesday, June 11, seizing a crucial 2-1 lead in the series. Fueled by an explosive bench performance and record-setting efforts, Indiana turned the tide of the Finals and proved they are not just contenders — they’re making history and ready to fight their way to the NBA Finals.
Bench Dominance: Pacers’ Secret Weapon
The spotlight of Game 3 wasn’t just on the stars — it was the Indiana bench that stole the whole game. The Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3 with their second unit’s incredible performance. Led by T.J. McConnell, the Pacers’ 6-foot-1 reserve guard, the second unit delivered one of the most statistically dominant bench performances in recent Finals history.
McConnell etched his name into the record books by doing what no reserve has done since steals and blocks became official stats in the seventies. He became the first bench player in NBA Finals history to record at least 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a single game.
“Those guys were tremendous,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “T.J. just brought a will, competitive will to the game. Mathurin jumped in there and was immediately aggressive and got the ball in the basket.”
McConnell’s hustle, on both ends of the court, not only changed the tone and tempo of the match but also brought an unimaginable excitement for the Pacers’ fans. While his calm playmaking helped Indiana maintain offensive flow under pressure, his steals disrupted the Thunder’s rhythm completely. It was another big reason the Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3.
Indiana’s Bench Completely Overpowers OKC
The story of the night was the dominance of Indiana’s bench, which outscored Oklahoma City’s reserves 49-18 — a massive differential in a Finals matchup. The Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3 not just with star talent, but with overwhelming depth and hustle.
Key Bench Stats:
- Points: Pacers 49 – Thunder 18
- Rebounds: Pacers 13 – Thunder 1
- Assists: Pacers 7 – Thunder 6
- Steals: Pacers 7 – Thunder 3
- Blocks: Pacers 3 – Thunder 0
Indiana’s second unit wasn’t just productive — it was extremely dominant. The energy and depth allowed the Pacers to keep up relentless pressure, even when the starters rested. The Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3 through grit, teamwork, and elite execution.
Bennedict Mathurin Makes History
Bennedict Mathurin played a starring role, dropping 25 points off the bench, making him the youngest player to score 25+ off the bench in a Finals game since bench stats began being officially tracked in 1970-71.
His impact was felt early and late, scoring key baskets to build Indiana’s lead. So, regardless of saying that, it completely silenced Thunder’s comeback attempts in the second half. That’s how the Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3 — with fearless bench firepower.
Haliburton’s Quiet Leadership Continues
Even though Tyrese Haliburton had a quieter scoring night, his leadership and smart decisions were critical, facilitating the offense and keeping the ball moving, though not the flashiest on the stat sheet. His ability to control the pace and make smart plays ensured that Indiana capitalized on every Thunder mistake.
One of Indiana’s biggest advantages this postseason has been its depth. In Game 3, nine players played at least 15 minutes, keeping legs fresh and matchups favorable, which again proved why the Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3.
Thunder Falters Without Support
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren tried to keep OKC alive, the Thunder bench struggled, contributing just 18 points. They failed to match Indiana’s energy, losing the battle in hustle plays, rebounding, and second-chance points.
Oklahoma City must now adjust fast before Game 4, especially in how they defend Indiana’s explosive second unit. Otherwise, the same story might repeat, just like when the Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3.
Indiana Pacers Stunned the Thunder in Game 3 – What It Means
This win isn’t just a scoreline — it’s a momentum shift. The Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3, and in doing so, they proved they’re deeper, hungrier, and better prepared in the clutch moments.
With Game 4 looming, the Indiana Pacers stunned the Thunder in Game 3 to take control of the series. Now they’re just two wins away from something special — a potential NBA championship that few saw coming.
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