Breaking Down Finals Game 3: Thunder’s Collapse Began in Q2, as Future Risks and Hopes Intertwine
In the raucous atmosphere of Indianapolis, the Thunder failed to withstand the Pacers’ fourth-quarter surge, falling 107-116 in Game 3 to trail the Finals 1-2. The loss, though not entirely surprising, stung a young team still learning to navigate championship pressure.
Jalen Williams’ acrobatic step-back three at the end of the third quarter briefly ignited Oklahoma City’s title hopes, but their fourth-quarter meltdown quickly doused the flame. The Pacers outscored the Thunder 32-18 in the final frame, flipping the game entirely. ESPN stats show Indiana posted a 128.0 offensive rating in the quarter, while OKC managed just 72.2—an all-around collapse that turned favorites into chasers.
“Tonight, they dominated us at both ends in the fourth,” admitted Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “Their physical defense and offensive rhythm were too much.” Indiana’s full-court press proved decisive, forcing OKC into half-court sets where they made just 1 of their final 10 shots.
The seeds of collapse were sown mid-second quarter. After Thunder guard Cason Wallace converted a tough and-1, T.J. McConnell raced the ball downcourt, setting up Bennedict Mathurin for an open three. McConnell’s energy ignited a Pacers bench that erupted for 40 second-quarter points on just 1 turnover.
Though McConnell finished with 10 points and 5 assists, his 5 steals—many in the backcourt—disrupted OKC’s rhythm. His consecutive steals and fast breaks in the fourth tied the game, shifting momentum irreversibly.
OKC’s 19 turnovers—well above their 12-per-game playoff average—set a series high. For a team that thrives on forcing mistakes, losing the “turnover battle” in a Finals showdown was critical. The Thunder committed 4 turnovers in the first six minutes of the fourth, handing Indiana the initiative.
Newly crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled mightily, shooting 9-of-20 for 24 points but managing just 3 points (1-of-3 shooting) in the fourth with 6 turnovers—his first negative assist-to-turnover ratio this postseason. “They packed the paint around me,” Alexander said. “Every time they scored, we faced a set defense. That’s tough.”
Jalen Williams provided bright spots with a team-high 26 points, but his 4 turnovers and missed late free throws exposed youth-related inconsistencies. Chet Holmgren, meanwhile, wilted in the fourth, shooting 1-of-5 with three blocks from Myles Turner, struggling to handle physicality.
The Pacers showcased playoff grit, improving to 9-1 in “clutch time” (last 5 minutes, within 5 points)—the best mark since the 2020 Heat (11-3). The Thunder, by contrast, posted an 85.7 offensive rating in clutch situations, a stark contrast to Indiana’s 120.0.
Inexperience looms large: SGA, Williams, and Holmgren are all Finals rookies, paling in comparison to Indiana’s seasoned bench execution. “To win these games, we must learn to finish quarters, possessions, games,” Daigneault said. “It’s 48 minutes, not just the last five.”
Yet history offers hope. While the Game 3 winner after a 1-1 series leads has an 80% title rate, recent upsets—2022 Warriors over Celtics, 2015 Warriors over Cavs—prove comebacks are possible. The Thunder themselves rallied from 1-2 down vs. Denver in the Western semis.
“We still have a great opportunity,” Holmgren insisted.
Heading into Game 4, OKC must adjust quickly: reduce turnovers, optimize SGA-Williams decision-making, and improve fourth-quarter execution. Defensively, they need tighter rotations to limit Indiana’s bench surge.
“Communication is key,” Williams said of defending Pacers screens. “We have a system, but it’s about pre-communication—loud and clear. Most importantly, staying close enough to hear teammates.”
Above all, mental maturity matters. The Finals wait for no one, but Oklahoma City’s youth—forged in defeat—still has time to prove their story is just beginning.
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