• Indiana Pacers take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals after defeating the Thunder 116-107.
• Tyrese Haliburton records 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds.
• Bennedict Mathurin shines with a career-playoff-high 27 points off the bench.
• The Pacers bench outscored Oklahoma City's reserves 49-18.
• Game 4 is set for Friday, providing Indiana a chance to extend its series lead.

The Indiana Pacers surged past the Oklahoma City Thunder, securing a 116-107 victory in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to take a 2-1 series lead. Tyrese Haliburton showcased a near triple-double performance, scoring 22 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and providing 11 assists. His standout performance, alongside a playoff career-high of 27 points from Bennedict Mathurin, propelled the Pacers after they entered the fourth quarter down five points, according to Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and BBC.

The game marked a significant collective effort from the Pacers. Their bench outscored the Thunder's reserves 49-18, a notable factor in their victory. Mathurin's performance was particularly praised, with Haliburton stating, "Ben Mathurin was amazing off the bench. We just had guys make plays after plays." Coach Rick Carlisle also emphasized the importance of teamwork, noting the diverse contributions from different players throughout the game, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

On the opposing side, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed 24 points but could only score three in the fourth quarter. The Thunder's Jalen Williams led his team with 26 points while Chet Holmgren contributed 20 points and ten rebounds. However, the team's 19 turnovers proved costly, giving the Pacers 21 points, a critical stat noted by Thunder coach Mark Daigneault following the game, as reported by South China Morning Post and BBC.

The Pacers are now looking to extend their lead in the best-of-seven series as they prepare to host Game 4 on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers have not lost consecutive games since March, which bodes well for their chances of maintaining momentum following this critical win, according to Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and BBC.