Bennedict Mathurin delivered a career-defining performance Wednesday, erupting for 27 points off the bench to lead the Indiana Pacers to a crucial 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
Mathurin’s efforts energized Indiana at home, while Pacers defenders relentlessly pressured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, disrupting Oklahoma City’s rhythm. Indiana’s up-tempo attack overwhelmed the Thunder, securing a vital series lead. Mathurin’s performance redefined postseason impact off the bench and further solidified his rising-star status.
Bennedict Mathurin Shines With 27 Points, Lifts Pacers to Game 3 Finals Win
Mathurin erupted for 27 points in 22 minutes off the bench, leading the Pacers to a 116-107 win over the Thunder in Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The victory gave Indiana a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and marked the franchise’s first Finals win in nearly 25 years.
Players this century to score 25+ in a Finals game at 22 or younger:
Bennedict Mathurin
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James
Tony Parker
Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/arYhHZiUrZ— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2025
Mathurin’s efficiency was unmatched—he shot 9-for-12 from the floor and scored 14 points in the second quarter alone. His scoring run was critical, particularly with Tyrese Haliburton resting to begin the fourth. Mathurin added 10 more points in the final frame, helping Indiana flip a five-point deficit into a lead they wouldn’t surrender.
At 22, Mathurin became the youngest player since the NBA began tracking starters in 1970-71 to post at least 25 points off the bench in a Finals game.
He joins elite company—Kobe Bryant, Tony Parker, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard—as one of the few players aged 22 or younger to record 25 or more points in a Finals contest. He’s also the first reserve to hit that mark since Jason Terry did it in 2011.
“We just had guys make plays after plays,” Haliburton said on the ABC broadcast. He contributed 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds in the win.
Indiana’s bench dominated, outscoring Oklahoma City’s reserves 49-18. The Pacers also forced 19 turnovers—OKC’s highest this postseason—and turned them into 21 points.
After trailing by nine in the first half, the Pacers exploded with a 40-point second quarter to take a 65-60 halftime lead. The Thunder briefly reclaimed momentum in the third, leading 89-84 entering the fourth.
But Indiana responded by hitting 6 of their first 8 shots in the final quarter, eventually sealing the game with an 18-9 closing run. Pascal Siakam added 21 points for Indiana, while T.J. McConnell chipped in 10 points, five assists, and one rebound.
