The Indiana Pacers took a huge step towards NBA Championship glory, winning game three 116-107 against the Oklahoma City Thunder – with Tyrese Haliburton a big part of that.
The Pacers, who took a 2-1 series lead, were led by star point guard Haliburton, who nearly recorded a triple-double.
The 25-year-old, who was named the NBA’s most overrated player in a player poll earlier this season, recorded 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. A little better than Haliburton’s previous performance in the NBA finals.
In his post-game press conference, Haliburton was quick to acknowledge a ‘huge reason’ for the Pacers victory.
Haliburton names Bennedict Mathurin as reason for game three win
Speaking in his post-game press conference, Haliburton was quick to praise teammate Ben Mathurin, who recorded 27 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Haliburton said: “He just made big play after big play and that’s the great thing about the finals, the great thing about basketball, when you have a team with this much depth, it can be anybody’s night and I’m just so proud of the way he responded tonight.
“I feel like he’s had a great series honestly and that was a big game – huge minutes for us.
“It’s a guy we missed heavily last year on our run and we consistently talked about it all year, how important he was going to be for him to be a part of this playoff run and you’re seeing why that is.
“He was a huge reason for our victory tonight.”
Mathurin’s career-high 27 points came off 75 per cent shooting from the field, including seven of eight free throws. This performance was a stark contrast to his last 10 games, where he averaged 34.4 per cent from the field, as per ESPN.
Pacers fans usually love Haliburton, but it’s Mathurin who should take the credit for this one.
Reggie Miller and Tyrese Haliburton hug after victory
Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller, who was part of the last Pacers team to make the NBA Finals in 2000, shared a moment on court with Haliburton following the Pacers’ Game Three triumph.
Miller’s iconic ‘choke’ celebration was reincarnated in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals, when Haliburton made a game-tying shot against the New York Knicks.
The Pacers, who are looking to win the first NBA Championship in their history, previously made the NBA Finals in 2000, and the ABA Finals in 1969 and 1975.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have also never won an NBA title, making this a rare occasion where neither team has achieved the sport’s ultimate crown.
The Pacers, who took a 2-1 lead, return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana later this week. The Thunder, who had the best record in the NBA regular season at 68-14, will be hoping to prevent a 3-1 hole against the Pacers.
The Pacers, who have beaten the Bucks, Cavaliers and Knicks on their way to the finals, and the Thunder, who have knocked off the Grizzlies, Nuggets and Timberwolves, will do battle in Game Four from 1:30am GMT on Saturday.