Indiana Pacers fans expressed their frustration with the officiating late in Wednesday’s pivotal Game 3 NBA Finals home clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
OKC superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has irked opposing teams’ fan bases throughout the NBA playoffs with his foul-drawing techniques. That was the case again in Game 3, with Indiana looking to take a 2-1 series lead.
As the Pacers rallied after entering the fourth quarter trailing 89-84, Gilgeous-Alexander was bailed out by the officials on a contested shot late in the shot clock. A few moments later, Pacers forward Obi Toppin was whistled for a foul with the game knotted up at 98-98 with 7:04 remaining, irking onlookers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Pacers Fans Chant ‘Ref You Suck!’ Late in Game 3 Against the Thunder
In what marked Indiana’s first time hosting a finals contest in 25 years, its fan base busted out a ‘Ref you suck!’ chant midway through the fourth quarter.
Pacers fans are livid and started a, “Ref you suck!” chant here in the 4th quarter of Game 3. pic.twitter.com/VMqRoLfNeL
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 12, 2025
This followed Pacers supporters chanting “flopper” at Gilgeous-Alexander in the second quarter.
Pacers fans chanting “FLOPPER” at SGA 😭 pic.twitter.com/4MKXAvTLsZ
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 12, 2025
However, they ended the evening satisfied, as Indiana outscored OKC 32-18 in the final frame to secure a 116-107 victory and move within two wins of its first NBA title. Pacers reserve wing Bennedict Mathurin was the game’s biggest standout, scoring a game-high 27 points on a blistering 9-of-12 shooting (75.0%) off the bench.
Meanwhile, Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton nearly triple-doubled with 22 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists, while his co-star Pascal Siakam chipped in 21 points.
Despite fans’ vexation with the officiating, particularly surrounding Gilgeous-Alexander, he finished with only six free-throw attempts, below his average. The MVP had a relatively quiet night, tallying 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and six turnovers, shooting 9-of-20 (45.0%).
Indiana accumulated a drastic 49-18 edge in bench scoring, with its depth once again coming through on the biggest stage. “We just had guys make plays after plays,” Haliburton said. “Our bench was amazing.”
Pacers Fans Ecstatic As Indiana Takes 2–1 Lead Over Thunder
Following Game 3, Pacers fans were elated as they exited Gainbridge Fieldhouse after witnessing their fourth-seeded squad (50-32) build on its improbable postseason run.
Pacers fans are going BONKERS after Indy takes Game 3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GN6E5FPS8J
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 12, 2025
Per ESPN, Game 3 finals winners have gone on to win the championship in 33 of the previous 41 finals that were tied 1-1. Thus, history suggests Indiana is favored to continue beating the odds.
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