Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Indiana Pacers for Game 3 of the NBA Finals tonight. The Pacers will host the Thunder for Games 3 and 4 before heading back to Oklahoma City. Indiana pulled off a huge upset in Game 1 of the NBA finals, after a clutch go-ahead bucket by Tyrese Haliburton in the final seconds of the game. However, in Game 2, the Thunder completely flipped the script and took the momentum back from Indiana in no time. The Thunder lead for the entirety of the game, and this time they never stopped or looked back.
While the Pacers are an excellent comeback team, they simply cannot afford to go down the hole, in a series against the best team in the NBA this season. Tyrese Haliburton has been far from his ideal self so far in the Finals, and the only way the Pacers are going to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy in the end is if Hali can dictate the pace for his team. Some of the concerning stats that stands out in this series is how Haliburton has not been to the free throw line once, even after two games. And when Haliburton scores below 20 points, the Pacers are 27-28 this season, when compared to when he does drop 20 points or more the Pacers are 32-4.
It is clear that Haliburton needs to be special in every game that they play from here on out, and if not, the Thunder are going to easily get to four games first.
OKC Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Injury Report
When: Wednesday, June 8, 2025 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, downtown Indianapolis, Indiana
TV: ABC
Livestream: Fubo, SlingTV
Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries
Nikola Topic- Out (Left Knee Surgery)
The Thunder only have Nikola Topic missing from the lineup tonight against the Indiana Pacers.
Indiana Pacers Injuries
Isaiah Jackson- Out (Right Achilles tendon tear)
Jarace Walker- Out (Right ankle sprain)
The Indiana Pacers have Jarace Walker out with a right ankle sprain, and hasn’t played a game since Game 2 against New York, where he injured his ankles. Meanwhile, Jackson will miss out the rest of the season as he is dealing with a right Achilles tendon tear, which takes over a year to heal.
OKC Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Predicted Starting Lineups
OKC Thunder: Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard