Pacers Seize Series Lead, Thunder Face Vital Game 4

Joel Piton
Jun 13
4 min read

by Joel Piton 6/12/2025 FansOnlySportz

The Indiana Pacers are flipping the script on the NBA, and doing it with style. Powered by a lightning-fast offense and disciplined team play, the Pacers have stunned fans and analysts alike by taking a 2-1 series lead over the initially favored Oklahoma City Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander has found himself slowed by an aggressive Indiana defense, while the Pacers’ bench has delivered significant contributions. Despite his scoring not taking a huge dip, Shai can't fuel this Thunder team by himself. This Finals carries a different aura—a surprising one—as basketball fans across the country scratch their heads and marvel at how Indiana has pulled this off. With just two more wins standing between them and a tit;e, the Hoosiers might soon have a new reason to smile. And with Game 4 on the horizon, another Pacers victory could all but seal the series. So, what exactly went wrong for OKC in Game 3?

The Oklahoma City Thunder largely stuck to their game plan in Game 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander logged 42 minutes, shooting just under 50% from the field to notch 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and an impressive 3 blocks. But while his stat line looked solid, his shooting volume was poor, and he faded out in the fourth quarter when the team needed him most. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren stepped up with a combined 46 points, but beyond this trio, the Thunder offense collapsed. Lu Dort chipped in a 12 points, knocking down pivotal threes, yet there was little help beyond that. OKC’s bench managed just 18 points in total, a disappointing output for a unit capable of much more. For a team that boasts the league’s leading scorer, this overreliance on its starters is a glaring issue. As the minutes pile up, fatigue becomes a real factor—especially against a Pacers squad that enjoys spreading the workload across its rotation. Rick Carlisle isn’t shy about letting his younger players attack, and that fearless depth has carried Indiana this far.

The Pacers’ dominance in this series hasn’t been a shot in the dark. Rick Carlisle’s blueprint is working flawlessly. Indiana owns a deeper rotation, exemplified by their bench exploding for 49 points in this third game. Bennedict Mathurin’s 27-point heroics off the pine were historic—the third-highest single-game scoring performance by a Finals reserve since Jason Terry in 2011. Meanwhile, the Pacers combine their fast-paced offense with relentless physicality, forcing 9 turnovers and hitting 51.8% from the field, while consistently turning defense into transition opportunities. Their balanced is what's wearing OKC down.

Tyrese Haliburton once again orchestrated the Pacers’ offense, falling just shy of a triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds. Pascal Siakam added his own offensive spark with a 20-point performance, giving Indiana the scoring balance it needed. Beyond the stars, the rest of the Pacers’ rotation—T.J. McConnell, Aaron Nesmith, and company—played smart, disciplined basketball. Whether it was crisp ball movement, timely defense, or simply making the extra play, every player contributed. That cohesion and commitment to team-first basketball is what ultimately sealed the win.

Who wins? The Pacers have thrived by letting everyone eat, and it’s taken them to the brink of something special. If Indiana continues to lean on its unselfish, talent-rich offense, OKC may have no answer. Tyrese Haliburton’s scoring may be kept in check by the Thunder's defense, but he doesn’t need the spotlight. He’s a pass-first point guard who’s made his teammates thrive all season. Off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith provide efficient outside shooting, while T.J. McConnell remains a crafty mid-range threat and an underrated playmaker. With another game at home, this could be Indiana’s most pivotal shot at closing the door on the series. Of course, the Thunder remain capable of winning on any night with a versatile roster, and on paper, they have no glaring weaknesses. So why have they been exposed? Their offense leans too heavily on Shai and J-Dub, and coach Mark Daigneault’s reluctance to trust his bench is shrinking OKC’s depth. That likely won’t change. Expect the Thunder to stick with what they know—heavy doses of Shai, plenty of screens, and deliberate ball movement. Whether it works this time is anyone’s guess.

Game 4 may not just be pivotal—it could be decisive. Indiana has all the tools: pace, depth, bench firepower, and the belief that they can win it all. The Thunder must respond quickly or risk watching their Finals hopes fade under the bright lights. For Pacers fans, history now feels just one or two wins away—a true underdog story. Expect a high-voltage game tonight, where one team’s momentum could swing the series for good. Will OKC rewrite the script, or is Indiana’s legacy just getting started? Either way, you won’t want to miss a moment, so stay tuned right here at Fans Only Sportz Network for full, up to date coverage of the NBA Finals.