Bennedict Mathurin went "Mamba" mode and played the hero ball off the bench, scoring 27 points as the Indiana Pacers grabbed a Game 3 win over the fan-favorite Oklahoma City Thunder.

In a closely contested match, the Pacers snatched a much-needed 116-107 victory to take a 2-1 series advantage in front of the roaring crowd in Indianapolis.

Historic Second Quarter Fuels Indiana's Momentum

2025 NBA Finals: Bennedict Mathurin Lifts Pacers Past Thunder 2025 NBA Finals: Bennedict Mathurin Lifts Pacers Past Thunder
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 11: Bennedict Mathurin #00 of the Indiana Pacers passes the ball between Jalen Williams #8 and Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 11, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Trailing by eight points in the first quarter, the Pacers burst apart in the second. Indiana outscored Oklahoma City by 12 in the period, scoring 40 points — not a common occurrence in NBA Finals history.

Indiana became only the eighth franchise since 1998 to reach 40 points in one Finals quarter, according to the NBA. The stellar offense swept them into a four-point halftime advantage and changed the course of the game.

Bench Power: Mathurin's Breakout Performance Carries Indiana

Bennedict Mathurin was the game's surprising hero, scoring a career playoff-high 27 points off the bench. The Pacers needed an answer from OKC's tight defense, and Rick Carlisle figured out the antidote right away from Mathurin.

Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton flirted with a near triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds. Pascal Siakam added 21 points, and although Myles Turner had a rough night shooting (3-of-11), he made up for it with five blocks and timely defense in the fourth quarter.

Thunder Stars Deliver, But Fall Short Late

Even though they lost, the Thunder performed impressively out of their young nucleus. Jalen Williams led OKC with 26 points and six rebounds, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 24 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Chet Holmgren also showed a double-double, posting 20 and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Oklahoma City came out strong in the first game, jumping out to an early lead in the first quarter. But Indiana's second-quarter offensive explosion and capacity to control the game in the last period proved to be the determining factor.

Pacers Fans Praise Mathurin's Bench Scoring

Yardbarker spotted some warm comments from fans praising Mathurin's impressive scoring. One fan even called him King Bennedict.

There's no rest for the weary. Game 4 tips off Friday evening at 8:30 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Thunder will try to rebound and even the series, while the Pacers look to maintain home court and move closer to their first NBA championship.

By the way, Jay-Z already lost his $1 million bet on OKC. 4-1 mission failed.