TJ McConnell stole inbounds passes not once, not twice, but three times in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He waved his arms, pumped his fists and shouted at an already delirious crowd to make more noise. Bennedict Mathurin made just about every shot, calm and cool, always coming up with the bucket that Indiana needed.
45 minutes to pack up a lifetime as Pakistan's foreigner crackdown sends Afghans scramblingStandoff with troops in Los Angeles reignites old feud as Newsom resists Trump's immigration raidsDemocratic governors will defend immigration policies before Republican-led House panelUS Open underway with high expectations for Scheffler and a tough test for allMusical revolutionaries Sly Stone and Brian Wilson leave life's stage nearly simultaneouslyAP Entertainment WireUS producer prices rise modest 2.
6% in May with inflationary pressures still mildUnsubstantiated 'chemtrail' conspiracy theories lead to legislation proposed in US statehousesThe world's oldest restaurant faces a challenge from another Madrid tavern that says it's even olderShould you let pets sleep next to you? The Afternoon WireTrump EPA moves to repeal climate rules that limit greenhouse gas emissions from US power plantsHundreds of laid-off CDC employees are being reinstatedMore at-home health tests are now available. How to know what's right for youWhen times are tough, practicing gratitude can improve moods in the workplaceNetanyahu's government survives vote to dissolve Israel's parliamentUn avión de Air India con destino a Londres se estrella en Ahmedabad, India, con más de 240 personasAlcaldes del área de LA exigen al gobierno de EEUU poner fin a redadas migratorias6% in May with inflationary pressures still mildUnsubstantiated 'chemtrail' conspiracy theories lead to legislation proposed in US statehousesThe world's oldest restaurant faces a challenge from another Madrid tavern that says it's even olderShould you let pets sleep next to you? The Afternoon WireTrump EPA moves to repeal climate rules that limit greenhouse gas emissions from US power plantsHundreds of laid-off CDC employees are being reinstatedMore at-home health tests are now available. How to know what's right for youWhen times are tough, practicing gratitude can improve moods in the workplaceNetanyahu's government survives vote to dissolve Israel's parliamentUn avión de Air India con destino a Londres se estrella en Ahmedabad, India, con más de 240 personasAlcaldes del área de LA exigen al gobierno de EEUU poner fin a redadas migratoriasIndiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell celebrates a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell motions after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin shoots against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrate after Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin passes the ball under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, right, during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell celebrates a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell celebrates a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell motions after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell motions after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin shoots against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin shoots against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrate after Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrate after Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin passes the ball under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, right, during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin passes the ball under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, right, during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. INDIANAPOLIS — TJ McConnell stole inbounds passes not once, not twice, but three times in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He waved his arms, pumped his fists and shouted at an already delirious crowd to make more noise. Bennedict Mathurin made just about every shot, calm and cool, always coming up with the bucket that Indiana needed. Separately, they couldn’t seem more different. Together, they were a two-man bench wrecking crew for the Pacers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals — two of the biggest reasons why Indiana has a 2-1 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the title series. McConnell became the first reserve in finals history to have five assists and five steals in a game. Mathurin — who couldn’t play in Indiana’s playoff run last year because of a shoulder injury — scored 27 points, the most by a reserve in a finals game in 14 years. Sure, Tyrese Haliburton nearly had a triple-double and Pascal Siakam scored 21 points and Myles Turner battled through illness to have a pair of huge blocks late in Indiana’s“Just getting a win in general in the playoffs and in the finals, it’s really hard,” McConnell said. “So, obviously, happy about this one, but have to move on. Have to still correct some stuff and make some adjustments.”Caitlin Clark, Reggie Miller, Oscar Robertson among those in crowd for Game 3 of NBA FinalsGame 4 is Friday night. And McConnell was looking ahead to Friday almost immediately after Wednesday night’s game ended. Haliburton says McConnell is like a big brother to him, always knowing what needs to be done, always knowing what needs to be said. He delivered on both counts in Game 3. “He does a great job of giving us energy plays consistently and getting downhill and operating. I mean, nobody operates on the baseline like that guy,” Haliburton said. “I thought did he a great job of consistently getting there and making hustle play after hustle play, and sticking with it, and I thought we did a great job of just feeding off of what he was doing.”Before Mathurin did it in Game 3, the last player who scored 27 points off the bench in a finals game was Jason Terry for Dallas in 2011 — doing so in the Game 6 title-clinching win over Miami.And when it was all over Wednesday, Carlisle told the story of how Mathurin — after getting his shoulder surgically repaired last spring — got one of those calendars that counted down the number of days he had to wait before being cleared to play again. It was in the Pacers’ training room and part of Mathurin’s routine was to tear off a page each day. “He was counting the days down to being cleared sometime in August and then be able to begin training camp, begin 5-on-5 with our guys in September and then be in training camp, really, with his eyes firmly set on an opportunity in the playoffs,” Carlisle said. “And so, he’s putting a lot of work to be ready for these moments.” Mathurin said he learned a lot as well from just watching last year’s playoff run, when Indiana made the East finals. “Just being on the bench and being next to the coaches who were able to run me through the game and stuff like that ... I was fortunate enough to learn a lot and be ready for this year,” Mathurin said.“He seems to have a game like this in every series. He’s a talented player,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “He was really aggressive. He did a great job. McConnell did a great job. Their bench really came in the game and was excellent.”Immigration protests: LA appears relatively calm after police moved in before curfewWhat to know about ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump’s policies on Saturday
Indiana Pacers T.J. Mcconnell Rick Carlisle Tyrese Haliburton Oklahoma City Thunder Mark Daigneault Pascal Siakam Myles Turner Indiana OK State Wire NBA Oklahoma IN State Wire Sports NBA Basketball Jason Terry NBA Finals
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pacers' T.J. McConnell Showed Up to NBA Finals Game Wearing Sister's New WNBA JerseyWhat a week it has been for the McConnell family.
Read more »
Shaq bombards ESPN's 'NBA Countdown' set before NBA Finals Game 1It looks like Shaquille O’Neal is wasting no time making himself comfortable at his soon-to-be new network.
Read more »
T.J. McConnell Makes NBA Finals History With Huge Game 3 Off Bench in Pacers' WinMcConnell made history with his prolific night coming off the bench.
Read more »
Bennedict Mathurin, Pacers top Thunder in NBA Finals Game 3Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 points, leading a Pacers unit that enjoyed a whopping 49-18 edge in bench points, and Indiana reclaimed the lead in the NBA Finals by beating Oklahoma City 116-107 in Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Read more »
Bennedict Mathurin Joins LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard in NBA History After Game 3Indiana Pacers star Bennedict Mathurin joined elite company after the Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3
Read more »
Pacers get big lift from Bennedict Mathurin off bench in key Game 3 winTeams need their stars to win titles. But they need their supporting cast along the way, their unsung heroes to step up in the unexpected moments.
Read more »