Haliburton, Mathurin & Co. Got Indy 2 Wins from the Promised Land

Let me be clear—the Indiana Pacers aren’t just some feel-good Cinderella story.

They’re two wins away from reality-shifting, champagne-popping, write-it-in-ink history.

After a 116-107 win over the OKC Thunder Wednesday night in Gainbridge Fieldhouse—a place that sounded more like a damn nightclub with rims attached—the Pacers now hold a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.

Their first-ever title?

Yeah, it’s within reach.

Let’s talk about what went down.

🎯 The Haliburton Show

Tyrese Haliburton was one rebound shy of a triple-double: 22 points. 11 dimes. 9 boards. Smooth like jazz, surgical like a scalpel.

When he gives you 8+ assists, the Pacers are 11-1. When he drops 20+, they’re 8-1.

Do the math.

And now?

He’s in elite Finals company. Only four players in NBA history have recorded 20+ points, 10+ assists, and 8+ rebounds in a Finals game before turning 26:

• Magic Johnson

• Russell Westbrook

• Luka Dončić

• Tyrese Haliburton.

  
  

Stop playing with this man’s name.

🔥 The Bench Mob Cooked

Now listen—Ben Mathurin came off the bench like he had a point to prove and a legend to chase. 27 points on 9/12 shooting. 2/3 from deep.

That’s the most by a reserve in the Finals since Jason Terry in 2011. And oh, he's now just the sixth player under 23 to score 25+ in a Finals game.

The others?

Kobe. LeBron. Kawhi. Tony Parker. Magic.

That’s not a list. That’s a Mount Rushmore of clutch.

And then there’s T.J. McConnell—who I swear plays every game like Sallie Mae just knocked on his front door with a bat.

First bench player in Finals history to post 10+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ steals.

He didn’t just show up—he showed out.

👑 Championship Pedigree + Coaching Matters

Rick Carlisle?

That man’s coaching like he’s building a legacy brick by brick.

Pascal Siakam added 21 points and the kind of poise that only comes from having already kissed a Larry O’Brien trophy.

This team knows what it takes.

📉 What’s Up with OKC?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams combined for 70 points—sounds like a W, right?

Nah.

The Thunder turned the ball over 17 times. They missed 7 of 30 free throws. They had just 16 assists as a team. Shai got to the line six times. That’s it. That isn’t enough.

They’re 4-4 in their last 8 road games and have been outscored 100-73 in 4th quarters this series.

The Pacers?

Now 5-0 after a loss in the 2025 postseason. They haven’t dropped back-to-back games since early March.

Game 3 winners in a 1-1 Finals go on to win the series 80.5% of the time.

Let that sit.

🚨 The Verdict

The Pacers match up with OKC like puzzle pieces. They’ve got the bodies, the brains, the bench, and a championship coach in Rick Carlisle.

Now, if OKC drops Game 4? It’s over. Done. Finito. Cue the confetti.

If they even it up at 2-2, we’ve got a series.

But let’s call this what it is: Indiana isn’t just fighting for respect anymore.

They’re chasing history.