NBA Finals: Pacers Take 2-1 Lead Over Thunder Thanks to Haliburton and Mathurin Brilliance

Indiana’s Young Stars Shine on the Biggest Stage

If you’d told most fans at the start of this season that the Indiana Pacers would be up 2-1 in the NBA Finals, you’d have gotten some funny looks. But that’s where we are, and it’s not by chance. Tyrese Haliburton has transformed from a promising guard to a full-fledged playoff star, taking command just when the Pacers need it most. His composure, even in the tightest moments, shows a level of confidence that’s impossible to ignore.

Bennedict Mathurin, who entered the Finals with all the usual rookie hype, didn’t take long to prove he’s more than just potential. In Game 2, he wasn’t just filling the stat sheet—his relentless defense on Thunder shooters changed the game’s tempo, and his drives to the basket made Oklahoma City pay for every defensive mistake. By the time Game 3 rolled around, Mathurin looked right at home, hitting key buckets late and hustling on both ends. If you’re the Thunder, you’d have to wonder how to slow down this combination of aggression and poise from Indiana’s backcourt.

The Pacers’ coach Rick Carlisle isn’t a stranger to the Finals spotlight, but he’s putting faith in his young roster. After dropping Game 1, Carlisle said the team needed to “stay loose, stay smart, and punch back.” They listened. Haliburton’s 35 points and Mathurin’s energy swung Game 2. In Game 3, it was all about sharing the load, with Indiana’s bench stepping up and the defense forcing tough shots from the Thunder at just the right moments. The Pacers’ adjustments, especially on their pick-and-roll defense, made life tough for Jalen Williams and even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’d carried Oklahoma City earlier in the series.

Thunder Scramble for Answers as Series Heats Up

Oklahoma City looked steady after winning the opener, but in the past two games, their cracks have started to show. Perimeter defense, once a Thunder strength, suddenly looks shaky. Haliburton has been able to pick them apart in the half-court, and Indiana’s shooters are getting just a bit too much space. Even in transition, where the Thunder usually punish mistakes, Indiana is sprinting back and limiting easy looks.

Mark Daigneault, the Thunder’s coach, has thrown different looks at Haliburton—switching defenders, trapping off picks, mixing up coverages—but nothing’s really slowed him down. The Thunder’s stars, Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have had their moments. Gilgeous-Alexander’s isolation skills and Williams’ slashing ability kept them close, especially in Game 3, but the supporting cast hasn’t matched Indiana’s energy. The Thunder are still searching for that extra spark off the bench, and the inability to keep Mathurin and the Pacers’ other shooters from getting comfortable is putting them in a tough spot.

• Indiana shot over 40% from deep in the last two games, while Oklahoma City’s three-point defense has been one step behind.
• The Thunder’s turnovers are suddenly an issue, especially with Haliburton pushing the pace off every miss or mistake.
• Both coaches are tweaking rotations, trying to find combinations that work in short bursts.

The series is tilting, and both teams know one stretch of hot shooting or a cold spell could change everything. With the Finals moving deeper, pressure is cranking up. The Pacers want to keep the ball moving and attack early, while the Thunder have to figure out how to tighten their defense and get easier buckets before Indiana’s set defense clamps down.