Tyrese Haliburton credited a strong team performance after the Indiana Pacers secured a 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, taking a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
Haliburton delivered 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, helping the Pacers overturn a five-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter of game three in the best-of-seven series.
The Pacers’ bench played a crucial role, outscoring the Thunder’s reserves 49-18. Bennedict Mathurin stood out with 27 points off the bench at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“So many different guys chipped in,” Haliburton said. “Ben Mathurin was amazing off the bench. We just had guys make plays after plays.”
Mathurin added, “The main thing is you have to be resilient. You have to be the aggressor in order to win games.”
Following a loss in game two, the Pacers extended their streak of not dropping back-to-back games since March.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, recently named league MVP, scored 24 points for the Thunder but managed only three in the final quarter.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 26 points, and Chet Holmgren added 20 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Thunder’s 19 turnovers led to 21 points for the Pacers.
“In the fourth quarter I just thought they really outplayed us on both ends,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
Game four is set to be played at the same venue on Friday at 8:30 p.m. local time.
