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INDIANAPOLIS— The game began poorly for the Indiana Pacers, and the second half followed suit with an equally lackluster start. A weak finish to the third quarter compounded their troubles. Overall, the Oklahoma City Thunder greatly outperformed the Pacers in those critical stretches—approximately six and a half minutes—outscoring them 27-6.
Fortunately for Indiana, there were still 41 minutes remaining in Game 3 of the 2025 Finals on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Among those minutes, six in the fourth quarter proved especially noteworthy as the Pacers’ frontcourt duo of Myles Turner and Obi Toppin made a significant impact, not only contributing points but also acting as formidable defenders. This collective effort propelled Indiana to a 116-107 victory, giving them a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven championship series.
The Pacers kicked off the final quarter with a valuable 7-1 run, taking a narrow 98-96 lead with eight minutes left. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams were proving effective for Oklahoma City, with Williams’ left-handed layup tying the game at 98-98. With 7:04 remaining, Turner entered the game, having Toppin on the floor since the fourth quarter commenced.
The two towering players for Indiana, adept in perimeter shooting and rim protection, faced off against the Thunder’s notable big men, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, who often draw more attention when paired together.
Turner, despite battling a cold throughout the day, began with an assist to Tyrese Haliburton for a three-pointer, forcing Oklahoma City to call a timeout. Soon after, Turner was whistled for a moving screen, resulting in a turnover that allowed Williams to close the gap at 101-100. He quickly redeemed himself with a layup over Holmgren with 5:38 left on the clock.
At that moment, the Pacers’ size advantage became evident. Turner blocked Holmgren’s layup attempt, Toppin retrieved a missed three-point shot by Lu Dort, and then Toppin scored with a powerful follow-up dunk on a missed jumper by Haliburton. Subsequently, Toppin denied Williams at the rim.
In a blink, the Pacers had surged ahead with a 9-2 run, establishing a 107-100 lead. With Turner and Toppin still on the court, Turner reinforced their efforts by rejecting Holmgren’s shots twice in quick succession—first on a long-range attempt, then on a driving layup.
By this time, the atmosphere at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric. Indiana held a 110-104 lead with under two minutes to play, while the Thunder seemed to have lost their rhythm, resulting in a series of split free throws. In a league where three-point shooting often determines outcomes, scoring single free throws wouldn’t suffice.
“Myles is not feeling well. He may not even practice with us tomorrow,” remarked Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, speaking about Turner rather than indicating he wouldn’t play again.
“He did a commendable job of taking a step back in the third quarter, regrouping, and returning ready. That’s a big part of it—resilience. Things happen swiftly in this game; players zoom past, making incredible plays. It’s a lot to manage,” Carlisle said of Turner’s resurgence after a shaky start.
“They absolutely outplayed us in the fourth quarter… I believe they exhibited their character through their defensive physicality and offensive pace. They simply constructed far more quality possessions than we did in those final minutes,” stated Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
“Obi’s skills are exceptional. His speed enables him to be a standout on the court for a big man. He fits seamlessly with our approach, and his dunking ability is remarkable. I love it when he plays aggressively—defending, running the floor, and utilizing his athleticism for rebounding or whatever else is needed,” commented Pacers forward Pascal Siakam.
For the Pacers to continue their pursuit of the Larry O’Brien Trophy, they’ll likely need two or more strong performances like this one. Teamwork is crucial for Indiana, whether it’s Turner and Toppin disrupting OKC’s rhythm, Bennedict Mathurin coming off the bench for an unexpected 27 points, or reserve guard T.J. McConnell influencing the game every time he enters.
“This is our team’s identity,” Carlisle noted. “We need everyone ready to contribute. The same names won’t always step up in scoring, but that’s essential for us.
“We need all of our players to bring their strengths to enhance our strategy.”
The Pacers will aim to replicate their success again with just 48 hours between games. Game 4 is set for Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, marking the fastest turnaround in the series.
Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email, view his archive, and follow him on X.
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