Just a few seconds into Game 3, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was whistled for an offensive foul, resulting in the first of 19 turnovers for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the most they have committed in the playoffs so far. The Indiana Pacers converted those turnovers into 21 points, most of which came in the first half, and it ultimately dictated the pace of the rest of the game.
Despite leading by 9 in the first quarter, the Thunder trailed the Pacers by 7 at one point in the second quarter before taking a 4-point deficit into halftime. OKC put together one of their classic third-quarter performances for a 9-point swing that equated to a 5-point lead headed into the finale frame. By then, the Thunder seemed to be running on fumes as they couldn’t keep it together, while the Pacers found their second wind to pull ahead before finishing off OKC 116-107, taking a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 still to be played in Indianapolis.
Looking ahead to Game 4
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 12, 2025
📺 https://t.co/NLC1Kja99d pic.twitter.com/tCXG8rcXav
Now the Thunder faces what has to feel like a must-win situation. OKC has answered every playoff loss so far with a big performance, and they certainly need it now. Despite trailing the Pacers in the series, the Thunder can regain momentum and home-court advantage with a Game 4 win. Simply put, if OKC wants to do that, they have to take better care of the ball and figure out a way to slow down Indiana’s uptempo offense. If the Thunder can patiently and methodically work the offense, they should be able to come up with some stops on the other end of the court as well.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Television: ABC
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Indiana Pacers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Cason Wallace
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Pacers
- PG: Tyrese Haliburton
- SG: Andrew Nembhard
- SF: Aaron Nesmith
- PF: Pascal Siakam
- C: Myles Turner
Injury Report
Thunder
- Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is OUT.
Pacers
- Isaiah Jackson (torn right Achilles tendon) is OUT.
- Jarace Walker (sprained right ankle) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 15-16 against the Pacers in the regular season (9-5 at home, 6-11 on the road) and 1-2 in the Playoffs (1-1 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Pacers 4 times, lost it 5 times, and tied 6 times.
- The Thunder won the season series 2-0 this season (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder trails the Pacers 2-1 in the NBA Finals (1-1 at home, 0-1 on the road).