Head coach Rick Carlisle and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers took control of the NBA Finals with a 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 on Wednesday night, moving two victories away from the first championship in franchise history.
Sources informed RG that Pacers center Myles Turner played despite battling a respiratory illness. Turner logged 30 minutes, contributing nine points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal and five blocks. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said postgame Turner might be unable to practice Thursday.
Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 points off the bench, while Tyrese Haliburton had 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Pascal Siakam added 21 points, and Indiana’s bench outscored Oklahoma City’s 49-18. TJ McConnell had 10 points, five assists, and five steals, becoming the first reserve player in NBA Finals history to reach these marks.
“So many different guys chipped in,” Haliburton said.
Oklahoma City led by five entering the fourth quarter, driven by 26 points from Jalen Williams, 24 from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and 20 from Chet Holmgren. Indiana, however, surged late, outscoring the Thunder 32-18 in the final frame.
Turner struggled offensively, shooting just 3-of-11 overall and 1-of-4 from deep, but made critical defensive plays late. One pivotal moment came with about five minutes left when Turner blocked Holmgren’s layup, setting up an Andrew Nembhard jumper that extended Indiana’s lead. Turner later twice denied Holmgren in one possession, effectively sealing the victory.
The Pacers are now 10-0 following a loss since mid-March, bouncing back impressively after dropping Game 2 in Oklahoma City. This victory marked Indiana’s first NBA Finals game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 25 years.
History favors the Pacers: teams winning Game 3 after a 1-1 Finals tie have won the title 33 of 41 times (80.5%).
Game 4 is set for Friday night in Indianapolis.
Grant Afseth
