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NBA Finals Game 3 final score, results: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers' bench spark 2-1 series lead over Thunder

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Original Story by The Sporting News
June 12, 2025
NBA Finals Game 3 final score, results: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers' bench spark 2-1 series lead over Thunder

With a scrappy, thorough performance Wednesday, the Pacers are just two wins away from their first NBA title.

With the 2025 NBA Finals moving to Indiana for Game 3, Rick Carlisle got contributions from a variety of players in a 116-107 win over the Thunder. The Pacers, who rode their underdog mentality, clutch gene, and depth through the Eastern Conference bracket, have continued playing their brand of basketball in the Finals, taking a 2-1 series advantage over a top-seeded Oklahoma City squad.

The Thunder stars certainly showed up to play Wednesday night — Chet Holmgren came out on fire, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams combined for 50 points — but the Pacers got their home crowd in it with timely shots and hustle plays. In the first Finals game played in Indiana in 25 years, the Pacers' bench played a massive role. 

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T.J. McConnell snuck up on a few Thunder players for five steals while dishing out five assists, Bennedict Mathurin had arguably the best performance of his career with 27 points, and Obi Toppin served as an energizer, adding eight points. By the end of Game 3, the Pacers’ bench outscored Mark Daigneault's bench 49-18.

Tyrese Haliburton also rebounded well from a so-so Game 2. The star point guard finished the night with a near triple-double, posting 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds. Despite entering Game 3 with some injury concerns, Haliburton's all-time 2025 playoff run continued as he diced up Oklahoma City's defense with his shot making and passing.

Even with Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder dominating a significant majority of the minutes between Games 1 and 2, it's the Pacers that are in control of the NBA Finals thanks to Haliburton's series-opening game-winner and a team-wide effort in Game 3. Whether Indiana can actually pull off one of the biggest upsets in Finals history remains to be seen, but the chances of a Pacers championship are growing.

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights as the Pacers took down the Thunder in Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Here's what you may have missed.

STREAM: Watch the 2025 NBA Finals LIVE with Sling TV

Thunder vs. Pacers live score

 

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Thunder vs. Pacers highlights from Game 3 of 2025 NBA Finals

All times ET.

Final: Pacers 116, Thunder 107

11:15 p.m. — The Pacers take Game 3! The underdogs in this series now lead it 2-1 following a gutsy, team performance, with everybody from Tyrese Haliburton to T.J. McConnell having strong showings. The home crowd in Indiana witnesses a win in the first Finals home game in 25 years. 

11:10 p.m. — Indiana leads by eight once again following a Siakam bucket, which prompts a timeout. Barring a shocking collapse by the Pacers, they'll make this NBA Finals even more fascinating with a home win in Game 3. But they'll have to hold on in the final minute. 

11:02 p.m. — Gilgeous-Alexander got a tough shot to go on one end, but Aaron Nesmith answers with a three to make it an eight-point Indiana lead. However, Nesmith then commits a hard foul on Alex Caruso in transition that results in a review for a flagrant. It's ruled a common foul instead.

10:57 p.m. — The Pacers are pulling away in crunch time. Obi Toppin had an incredible sequence, throwing down a putback slam then swatting Williams' layup attempt, while Andrew Nembhard has picked things up with a few buckets. It's 107-100 Indiana with under four minutes remaining.

10:50 p.m. — Mathurin now has 25 points in what's likely been the best game of his career, given the stage. But Haliburton has stolen the spotlight once again, giving Indiana a three-point lead with another shot from deep. He's been on one tonight, now with 22 points to match both SGA and Jalen Williams.

10:46 p.m. — T.J. McConnell does it again. After a midrange bucket from Andrew Nembhard, MCconnell steals the inbound pass from Alex Caruso and puts it right back up and in the basket. We're tied at 95.

10:39 p.m. — These two teams just continue to trade big shots. Mathurin is now up to 22 points off the bench, on fire from inside the arc, while Cason Wallace and Isaiah Hartenstein help the Thunder hold onto a slim lead in the early fourth.

End of third quarter: Thunder 89, Pacers 84

10:31 p.m. — Gilgeous-Alexander has crossed the 20-point mark, seeking his third consecutive 30-plus-point game to open the Finals. As the third quarter comes to a close, the Thunder lead by five thanks to a 3-pointer from Jalen Williams.

10:21 p.m. — In what's shaping up to be a shootout between Oklahoma City and Indiana, Tyrese Haliburton has shined. He's now got 19 points, his most so far this series, with a 3-pointer to give the Pacers the lead.

10:14 p.m. — The Thunder and Pacers are trading shots at a rate they haven't quite yet in these NBA Finals. Game 1 was a Pacers comeback, while Game 2 was all OKC. Now, Haliburton is breaking away for fastbreak dunks, while Gilgeous-Alexander is hitting step-back threes. It's been all offense in Game 3 for both teams.

10:06 p.m. — The second half is underway, and the Thunder tie it at 64 with consecutive buckets from Jalen Williams. Gilgeous-Alexader gives OKC the lead, and Rick Carlisle immediately calls timeout.

Halftime: Pacers 64, Thunder 60

9:47 p.m. — T.J. McConnell capped his excellent first half with a mid-range bucket to give the Pacers a four-point advantage, totaling six points, four assists and three steals so far. With Indiana owning the bench points category 30-11, it has taken control of the game, although the Thunder are not far behind. 

Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have done the heavy lifting for OKC, combining for 38 points. Haliburton has 12 points and seven dimes for Indiana.

9:44 p.m. — With the first half winding down, Pascal Siakam is up to 13 points after two free throws that put Indiana up by four. It's been a much better showing in the first half of Game 3 for the Pacers then it was in Game 2.

9:39 p.m. — While the Pacers have clawed their way into this game, the Thunder haven't fallen too far behind, still mostly getting what they want offensively. Gilgeous-Alexander, who joined Holmgren in double-digit scoring, has added in three assists as the two sides go back-and-forth.

9:33 p.m. — With a layup plus the foul, Bennedict Mathurin has 14 points in just six minutes. He's a +13 off the bench and has provided a major scoring spark for Indiana, which has a five-point lead.

9:29 p.m. — The Pacers have 19 bench points. The Thunder have zero. Indiana's second unit has reshaped Game 3 in the second quarter.

9:25 p.m. — Indiana is on top 39-36 after another Mathurin bucket. He's got nine points, while McConnell's collection of excellent plays has the home crowd juiced up.

9:15 p.m. — The Pacers are on an 11-4 run to open the second quarter, making it a one-point game. It's been fueled by T.J. McConnell (four assists), Bennedict Mathurin (seven points) and Aaron Nesmith (two points). Indiana is right back in it, especially thanks to a wonderful sequence from McConnell.

End of first quarter: Thunder 32, Pacers 24

9:07 p.m. — The first quarter comes to a close with the Thunder up by eight. Holmgren and Lu Dort have led the way, combining for 21 points already, and the Pacers have seven early turnovers. Oklahoma City has continued its Game 2 momentum into the first frame tonight.

9:06 p.m. — After coming in with some injury speculation, Haliburton has looked healthy so far. He hit a 3-pointer and now has five points in the first quarter.

9:05 p.m. — A trio of Indiana Fever stars are in the building for the NBA Finals.

9:01 p.m. — Chet Holmgren has been the star of the first quarter. The versatile big man is up to 12 of OKC's 29 points, plus four rebounds, as he's led his squad to the early lead. The Pacers have gotten six points apiece from Siakam and Toppin, but trail by six as the first frame nears a finish.

8:59 p.m. — Tyrese Haliburton with a clean behind-the-back move before an assist to Obi Toppin:

8:46 p.m. — Pacers legend Reggie Miller is courtside for this matchup, as is Terry Crews:

8:45 p.m. — OKC is out to a quick nine-point lead. Chet Holmgren is hot, already with eight points.

8:41 p.m. — They're underway in Indiana. The Thunder score the game's first two buckets, but Pascal Siakam answers with a mid-range shot off the glass.

Pregame

8:27 p.m. — Same for the Thunder -- no lineup changes, as they continue to start small in these NBA Finals.

8:18 p.m. — No lineup changes for the Pacers as the series heads into their home arena.

7:31 p.m. — The current Finals MVP favorite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was stylish earlier this evening ahead of Game 3.

7:30 p.m. — The home crowd will be wearing "But this is Indiana" shirts tonight.

7:28 p.m. — Tyrese Haliburton, whose quiet first half in Game 2 factored into a double-digit loss for Indiana, is rocking all black in his Game 3 arrival.

7:27 p.m. — Around an hour from tip off, here's the scene in Indiana for the first home Pacers Finals game in 25 years. 

Thunder vs. Pacers start time

  • Date: Wednesday, June 11
  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. PT

Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Thunder and Pacers will tip off around 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 11. The game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.

How to watch the 2025 NBA Finals

  • TV channel: ABC 
  • Live stream: Sling

Game 3 of Thunder vs. Pacers will air on ABC, like the rest of the series. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Richard Jefferson (analyst), and Doris Burke (analyst) will have the call for every game. 

Viewers can also stream the games live on Sling, which will carry every NBA playoff game in 2025. Sling is your home for playoff action. Catch NBA and NHL postseason games with a range of sports channels including TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, ABC, and more.

NBA Finals schedule, results 2025

(1) Thunder vs. (4) Pacers

Date Game/Result Time (ET) TV/Live stream
June 5 Game 1: Pacers 111, Thunder 110 — —
June 8 Game 2: Thunder 123, Pacers 107 — —
June 11 Game 3: Indiana vs. Oklahoma City 8:30 p.m. ABC, Sling
June 13 Game 4: Indiana vs. Oklahoma City 8:30 p.m. ABC, Sling
June 16 Game 5: Oklahoma City vs. Indiana 8:30 p.m. ABC, Sling
June 19 Game 6: Indiana vs. Oklahoma City* 8:30 p.m. ABC, Sling
June 22 Game 7: Oklahoma City vs. Indiana* 8 p.m. ABC, Sling

*If necessary

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