The Indiana Pacers showcased their resilience and depth in a thrilling 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 11, 2025. This win gave the Pacers a 2-1 lead in the series, marking a pivotal moment as the Finals returned to Indianapolis for the first time in 25 years.
The atmosphere inside the arena was electric, fueled by a passionate crowd witnessing a hard-fought battle between two evenly matched teams. The Pacers’ bench played a crucial role, outscoring the Thunder’s reserves 49-18, with Bennedict Mathurin leading the charge with a breakout 27-point performance off the bench. Mathurin’s energy and scoring prowess provided a significant boost, complementing the steady contributions from starters Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.
Haliburton nearly recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, while Siakam added a solid 21 points, helping to maintain offensive balance throughout the game. The Pacers’ ability to rally after a Game 2 loss in Oklahoma City continued their impressive 10-0 run since mid-March whenever bouncing back from defeat. Coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s collective effort, saying, “This is the kind of team that we are. We need everybody to be ready. It’s not always going to be exactly the same guys that are stepping up with scoring and stuff like that. But this is how we've got to do it.”
On the opposing side, the Thunder were led by Jalen Williams, who put up a strong 26 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who added 24 points, snapping his streak of 30-point games in the process. Chet Holmgren contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the Thunder’s frontcourt. Despite leading by five going into the fourth quarter, the Thunder struggled to close out the game, as Indiana dominated the final period with a 32-18 scoring edge, holding Oklahoma City to just 35% shooting.
The Thunder’s inability to maintain leads late in the game was notable, considering they were 61-2 during the regular season when entering the fourth quarter ahead. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the Pacers’ superior performance, stating, “We had a lot of good stretches of the game, but they had more good stretches than we did — and outplayed us over the course of 48 minutes.”
A key figure in the Pacers’ victory was veteran reserve point guard T.J. McConnell, who ignited the home crowd with his tenacity and playmaking. McConnell, 33, has been a staple for Indiana since signing in 2019 after four years in Philadelphia. In just over 20 minutes on the court, he contributed 10 points, five assists, five steals, and one rebound, shooting 3-of-8 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. His defensive hustle and trademark inbound steals energized the team and fans alike.
McConnell’s impact was immediate, sparking runs with crucial turnovers and finishing the Pacers’ explosive 40-point second quarter with a smooth 13-foot fadeaway jumper, securing Indiana’s first halftime lead in the series. His performance was historic, as no bench player had previously recorded at least 10 points, five assists, and five steals in an NBA Finals game. The crowd roared in appreciation, with McConnell pumping up the fans during timeouts and key moments.
Beyond the court, T.J. McConnell’s story is one of perseverance and family pride. The McConnell family is deeply rooted in basketball, with T.J.’s younger sister, Megan McConnell, making waves in the WNBA as a rookie for the Phoenix Mercury. Megan, who played collegiately at Duquesne alongside her brother’s alma mater, earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors in consecutive seasons before signing her first professional contract. She debuted on June 3, 2025, against the Minnesota Lynx but unfortunately sustained a knee injury during the first half.
Despite her early exit, Megan’s team bounced back with a win against the Golden State Valkyries on June 5, coinciding with T.J.’s Pacers securing their Game 1 Finals victory over the Thunder with a last-minute dunk by Haliburton. The sibling duo’s mutual support was highlighted recently when they donned each other’s jerseys during their respective pre-game warmups, a gesture that captured the hearts of basketball fans nationwide.
Reflecting on this family bond, T.J. McConnell shared, “Me and my sister are very close. So when she made it to the Phoenix Mercury, you know, I was just so proud. So any way I could do to support her, I wanted to do. So thankful to the Mercury for sending that over.” He emphasized the central role basketball plays in their lives, stating, “Basketball is my life, our family’s life. It’s very important.”
The Pacers’ home crowd was further energized by the presence of basketball legends like Reggie Miller, Caitlin Clark, and Oscar Robertson, who witnessed Indiana’s first NBA Finals home game in a quarter-century. The historic nature of the moment added to the intensity and significance of the game.
Game 3 was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 15 ties—more than the total ties in the entire five-game 2024 NBA Finals. This level of competitiveness underscored the fierce rivalry and high stakes as both teams battle for the championship. The Pacers’ victory in Game 3 aligns with historical trends; in the 41 previous NBA Finals series tied 1-1, the Game 3 winner went on to win the title 33 times, an 80.5% success rate, giving Indiana a statistical edge.
Looking ahead, Game 4 is set to take place on June 13, 2025, back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Pacers will aim to capitalize on their momentum and home-court advantage. The Thunder, meanwhile, will seek to regroup and prevent Indiana from extending their series lead.
In addition to the NBA Finals action, the WNBA season continues to develop, with Megan McConnell’s Phoenix Mercury navigating challenges after her injury. The Chicago Sky also remain in contention, preparing to face the Atlanta Dream on June 13, 2025, keeping fans engaged across basketball’s professional landscape.
As the series unfolds, the Pacers’ blend of veteran leadership, emerging talent, and unyielding team spirit, embodied by players like T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin, will be crucial in their quest for an NBA championship. The McConnell family’s inspiring basketball journey adds a heartfelt narrative to this high-stakes competition, reminding fans of the sport’s power to unite and inspire across generations.
