On Wednesday evening, the Thunder and Pacers faced off in a pivotal Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Indiana went on to win, out-executing the Thunder on both ends down the stretch.
Here were live updates for Game 3 of the NBA Finals:
The Thunder got out to a comfortable lead via aggressive driving from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. A few buckets apiece from OKC’s co-stars — along with a Luguentz Dort triple — would make the game 13-6 early.
Holmgren extended his hot-streak to 12 points in six minutes to give the Thunder a 19-10 lead in the first.
With Holmgren leading the way and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finding a late rhythm, the Thunder were able to nab an eight-point lead in the opening frame.
With the Oklahoma City second unit unable to create offense easily, the Pacers have grinded their way back into the game, with Bennedict Mathurin helping to cut the lead to just one with seven points.
TJ McConnell breathed life into Indiana’s bench unit, helping his squad grab its first lead of the game, 37-36.
Oklahoma City would go down by as much as seven, treading water offensively. But two aggressive drives from Jalen Williams — who was previously quiet — cut the lead to just two.
Indiana was able to hold OKC at bay to end the half, going into the break with a four-point lead.
Third Quarter:
OKC played with purpose out of the half, driving aggressively and getting stops on the other end to go ahead by two, forcing a quick Pacers’ timeout.
The Pacers would quickly respond to OKC’s second-half punch, throwing their own in the form quick processing and shot-making on offense. A Tyrese Haliburton step-back 3-pointer would force a Thunder timeout and put Indiana ahead, 79-76.
With a Jalen Williams high-rising 3-pointer, the Thunder would take a five-point lead heading into a pivotal final frame. The game has been tight throughout, with both teams grabbing leads and issuing reponses.
Mathurin has continued to lead the bench unit for Indiana, cutting the Thunder’s lead to just two with back-to-back buckets. He leads all scorers with 22 points.
Indiana has looked the more forceful team late, with Haliburton hitting yet another 3-pointer to go up three and force an OKC timeout.
With more juiced-up play than the Thunder, Indiana would take a late, seven-point lead with just four minutes to play. Aaron Nesmith would hit a massive 3-pointer to put Indiana up eight with just over two minutes to play, followed up by a Jalen Williams turnover.
