Tyrese Haliburton Leads the Charge as Pacers Seize 2-1 Series Lead in NBA Finals Thriller
INDIANAPOLIS — In a roaring Gainbridge Fieldhouse draped in gold and blue, the Indiana Pacers delivered a resounding message to the basketball world: this young, fearless squad isn’t here just to compete—they’re here to claim the crown.
Behind a sensational playoff career-high performance from Bennedict Mathurin and a masterful all-around effort from veteran Pascal Siakam, the Pacers outlasted their Finals opponent 112-105 in Game 3, taking a pivotal 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals series.
Mathurin, the 21-year-old Canadian swingman, shined brighter than ever under the national spotlight. His explosive 27 points came on a relentless mix of rim attacks, midrange jumpers, and two timely three-pointers that ignited the home crowd. Time after time, when Indiana needed a bucket to stem the opposition’s momentum, Mathurin answered—fearless, focused, and feeding off the energy of 17,000 screaming fans.
“It felt like the whole city was behind me tonight,” Mathurin said postgame, beaming. “I’ve dreamed of these moments since I was a kid, and my teammates believed in me all the way. This is why we play.”
But it wasn’t a one-man show.
Veteran forward Pascal Siakam, already with a championship ring from his Toronto Raptors days, brought poise and experience when it mattered most. Siakam poured in 21 points while adding 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals—a complete performance that steadied the Pacers through a tense fourth quarter when their opponents made their final push. Whether it was a turnaround jumper from the elbow or a quick steal that led to a breakaway dunk, Siakam showed the leadership Indiana has craved since acquiring him midseason.
Then there was Tyrese Haliburton, the floor general whose fingerprints were all over the game. While his scoring was modest—just 14 points—his command of the offense was absolute. With 12 assists and zero turnovers, Haliburton carved up the opposing defense, orchestrating pick-and-rolls with surgical precision and finding open shooters like Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard, who chipped in key threes down the stretch.
“Tyrese controls the tempo like a maestro,” head coach Rick Carlisle praised. “He makes the game easier for everyone. When he’s out there, we believe we can beat anybody.”
The Pacers, long regarded as Eastern underdogs this season, now sit two wins away from their first-ever NBA Championship—a feat that seemed improbable mere months ago. Their balanced attack, youthful fearlessness, and veteran grit are proving to be a dangerous combination against a battle-tested foe.
But the job’s far from done.
Game 4 tips Friday night at 8:30 PM ET on ABC—a clash that could either tilt the series decisively in Indiana’s favor or reset the Finals into a deadlock. Carlisle emphasized focus in the postgame press conference: “We haven’t accomplished anything yet. These Finals can change in a blink. Friday will be the biggest test of our season.”
One thing is certain: with Mathurin erupting, Siakam steady as stone, and Haliburton pulling the strings, these Indiana Pacers are not just dreaming—they’re daring to make history.
#PacersNation is alive and electric. And the best may still be yet to come.
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