Pacers Bench Takes Over Game 3—And Maybe the Series
Let’s Talk About That Pacers Win
Man, what a game. The Indiana Pacers just stole home-court advantage back from the Thunder with a 116-107 win in Game 3, and here’s the crazy part—it wasn’t even about their starters. Nope. The Pacers’ bench dropped 49 points compared to OKC’s pathetic 18. That’s not just a gap, that’s a canyon. Bennedict Mathurin went absolutely nuclear with 27 points off the bench, and suddenly, this series looks a whole lot different. Let’s break it down.
Bench Mob to the Rescue
Mathurin Was Unreal—Like, Video Game Numbers
27 points on 10-of-15 shooting? Four threes? The kid wasn’t just hot, he was on another planet. Every time OKC thought they had momentum, Mathurin would drive right at them or pull up from deep like it was nothing. Tyrese Haliburton put it best: “When he’s like that, good luck stopping us.” And honestly? He wasn’t wrong.
The Rest of the Crew Showed Up Too
T.J. McConnell—8 assists, zero turnovers. The guy’s like a point guard cheat code. Obi Toppin? Nine points, five boards, and energy for days. The Pacers’ bench didn’t just outscore OKC’s, they outworked them, outhustled them, and basically embarrassed them. Not a great look for the Thunder.
OKC’s Bench Problem Is… Bad
Where Was the Help?
Eighteen total bench points in an NBA Finals game? Yikes. Isaiah Joe went 0-for-everything, Aaron Wiggins couldn’t stay on the floor because of fouls, and Mark Daigneault looked like he wanted to scream into a pillow. “We’ve got to be better,” he said after the game. No kidding.
Defense? What Defense?
Mathurin was cooking whoever they put on him—switches, mismatches, didn’t matter. The Thunder’s rotations were slow all night, and the Pacers just kept finding open guys. When your defensive rating tanks every time the subs come in, you’re not winning a title. Simple as that.
The Moments That Broke OKC
That Second Quarter Run
Mathurin hits back-to-back threes, and just like that, it’s a 14-2 Pacers burst. Then in the third, McConnell and Toppin get three straight transition buckets—boom, lead balloons to 18. The Thunder’s starters clawed back, but the damage was done. You could see the air go out of the building.
OKC’s Comeback That Wasn’t
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was ridiculous (32 points), Jalen Williams was solid (24), but every time they’d cut it close, the Pacers had an answer. Then Chet Holmgren travels in the fourth, and that was pretty much it. Game over.
Coaching Chess Match—Or Lack Thereof
Carlisle Played 4D Chess
Staggering Mathurin’s minutes? Genius. Forcing Holmgren into switches? Even better. Rick Carlisle had this game on a string, and Doris Burke nailed it: “He pushed all the right buttons.” Meanwhile…
Daigneault Got Outcoached
Sticking to the same rotations while the game was slipping away? Not adjusting when Mathurin was murdering them? I don’t get it. Play your stars more! Do something! Thunder fans were furious, and they have every right to be.
Where the Series Stands Now
Pacers Have the Edge
Their bench has outscored OKC’s by 31 in three games. If Mathurin keeps playing like this, the Thunder are in deep trouble. Carlisle played it cool after the game—”It’s only one win”—but you know he’s loving this.
Thunder Better Figure It Out Fast
Either the bench steps up, or Daigneault shortens the rotation to like seven guys. Because if they lose Game 4? This thing could be over quicker than anyone expected.
Final Thoughts
The Pacers’ bench didn’t just win this game—they might have won the series. Mathurin looks like a superstar, OKC’s role players are MIA, and suddenly, Indiana’s one win away from taking total control. In the playoffs, depth isn’t just nice to have—it’s everything. And right now? The Pacers have all of it.
Source: ESPN – News
