Indiana Pacers Bench Outshines Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of NBA Finals: T.J. McConnell and Benedict Mathurin Lead the Way

The Indiana Pacers' depth was on full display during Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers' bench outscored the Thunder's bench 48-19, with T.J. McConnell and Benedict Mathurin leading the charge. McConnell, who became just the 16th player to score 10 points, dish 5 assists, and snag 5 steals in a Finals game since the NBA started tracking steals in 1973, had three of his five steals in the first four minutes of the second quarter. His defensive playmaking and attacking style of play helped the Pacers erase Oklahoma City's early lead and put themselves in position to play with the advantage for the first time in the series. Mathurin, who missed all of Indiana's run to the 2024 Eastern Conference finals due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder, had a career playoff high of 27 points in the game. He was absolutely nails from the second he checked in at the start of the second quarter, going 9-for-12 from the field and scoring more than any Pacer in the paint in Game 2. His downhill aggressiveness and ability to hunt contact drew seven fouls in just 22 minutes of work and he went 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. Obi Toppin also contributed with his exceedingly athletic two-way play, including a couple of slick passes in the second quarter. Head coach Rick Carlisle praised Ben Sheppard's "absolute, full-capacity effort all the time" in teaming with Andrew Nembhard to guard Oklahoma City's NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Pacers' depth was a key factor in their victory, as Carlisle has been able to avoid overloading his stars and starters in Indiana's frenzied and fast-paced two-way approach. "This is how we gotta do it, and we gotta do it as a team," Carlisle said after the game. "We need everybody to be ready." The Pacers' depth has been a key factor throughout this postseason, as they have relied on their many good players to tilt the run of play in their favor. "We've got to continue to bring energy to the highest level," McConnell said after the game. "Because if we don't, it's doing a disservice to these fans and this organization." With their depth on full display, the Pacers will enter Game 4 feeling pretty good about their chances of continuing their magical run and potentially winning an NBA championship. "When you have a team with this much depth, it can be anybody's night," Haliburton said.