The Indiana Pacers roared back into the NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 on Wednesday night. This victory gives the Pacers a crucial 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Bennedict Mathurin was a force off the bench, leading the Pacers with an impressive 27 points. Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points to the scoreboard, helping the Pacers shake off the sting of their game-two loss.
"We love playing in front of our fans," Haliburton said after the game. "They deserve high-stakes, high-level basketball and we're giving them that right now."
The game was a nail-biter, held at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The lead changed hands nine times before the Pacers pulled ahead with a decisive scoring run in the fourth quarter. The Pacers dominated the final quarter, outscoring the Thunder 32-18 to secure the win.
For the Thunder, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points, while Jalen Williams led the team with 26 points. However, their efforts weren't enough to overcome the Pacers' strong performance.
Game four will be held in Indianapolis on Friday. The Pacers will be looking to extend their lead to 3-1 as they pursue their first NBA Finals championship.
Key Players:
- Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin (27 points), Tyrese Haliburton (22 points)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams (26 points), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 points)
What's Next?
Don't miss game four on Friday! Can the Pacers secure a commanding lead, or will the Thunder tie the series? It's sure to be another exciting matchup.