Bennedict Mathurin.
That’s it. That’s the lede.
Mathurin just did what every team needs a bench player to do in the playoffs by contributing far beyond the reasonable expectations set for them.
Benn did more than exceed them, he led all scorers with 27 points on just 12 shot attempts (the most off the bench in the Finals since 2011) and proved to be a pain in the ass for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Mind you that Mathurin only averaged 10.3 points with below average shooting before Wednesday. ESPN’s Analytics said he was good for an 8-point advantage when he was on the court, the best of any player in Game 3. That sounds great, despite my not being fully sure how that math works. But I know how Benny Math works.
27 points in 22 minutes for Bennedict Mathurin
Benny Math
It’s how the Pacers even got here
Benny Math
Pacers up 2-1 in the Finals
— iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) June 12, 2025
It’s easy to overlook Mathurin on most nights simply because his sixth man role means he’s often absent in what would be considered clutch time. Even tonight, he was subbed out with 6:40 left and only came back in after Aaron Nesmith fouled out with 35 seconds left.
In his 22 minutes, he made every second count after not entering the game until the start of the second quarter.
He put himself in a position to helpteammates in tight spots in the first half with timely cuts before taking matters into his own hands in the second. He wasn’t afraid to take on the Thunder defense and take tough, contested shots, always looking like he was in his comfort zone like a beekeeper calmly collecting his honey as the bees swarm all around.
It never felt as if Mathurin decided to step up as much as he just made shot after shot while taking whatever the Thunder defense gave him. He was 5 of 6 in the first half, mostly taking advantage of passes from teammates who drew defenders toward them and opened up space for Benn to cut into open space whether on a T.J. McConnell offensive rebound or an Obi Toppin drive. Or, he’d pull-up with defenders in drop out of a pick and roll.
“I thought he did just a great job of playing within what we do so well,” Tyrese Haliburton said postgame. “He did a great job of coming off handoffs, reading the pocket, rising up from the mid-range … he did a great job hunting that and getting downhill.”
The Pacers’ bench stabilized the game, and the team collectively outscored Oklahoma City 40-28 in the second quarter.
“For sure, having guys like T.J. and Obi get in the game, it’s just playing hard. A group of guys that play hard, extremely hard, and that’s what the fans needed to get the fans back on their feet and everyone was cheering,” Mathurin said.
The second half’s first stint was only so-so, but in the fourth quarter, he wasn’t content with merely getting fortuitous opportunities. He challenged the Thunder to stop him on repeated drives to the lane.
Defensively, he did well to get in the way of Jalen Williams and avoid mistakes that earned him coach Rick Carlisle’s ire and a quick hook he had seen before.
“He’s a guy that we missed heavily last year in our run,” Tyrese Haliburton said of Mathurin, “and we consistently talked about it all year how important it’s going to be for him to be a part of the playoff run and you’re seeing why that is. He was a huge reason for our victory tonight.”
Last year at this time, Mathurin was going through rehab literally counting down the days until he could get back on the court. The only way he could contribute was by making baked goods for the team flights, now he’s cooking the best defense in the league.
“There was a calendar sitting in our training room and every day he would come in and take one off,” Carlisle said of Mathurin’s approach in rehab. “He was counting the days down to being cleared sometime in August, then be able to begin training camp … with his eyes firmly set on an opportunity in the playoffs. He’s putting in a lot of work to be ready for these moments.”
Now in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, he’s receiving a smattering of MVP chants as he shot free throws in the closing moments. Moment met. Day seized. but the job’s not finished.
Bennedict Mathurin after his big night:
"As much as I wanna live the moment and hold a camera, I can't as much as I would love to. I think that's gonna take away from my aggressiveness on the court. When I have the (championship) trophy in my hands then the job's finished" pic.twitter.com/fNlZsbxBiZ
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 12, 2025
The bench unit bled points in Game 2, but in Game 3, they never let the Thunder get too far away as the most the Thunder led by was 9 points. They set the table for the Pacers to close out the game.
A final 10-3 run was organized by Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin, put Indiana in the lead for good. Mathurin and company handed off a lead to the starting unit while also wearing down the Oklahoma City starters, who had returned to the game earlier than expected.
Pacers fresh as daisies, Thunder look tired
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault brought SGA and the closing lineup back in the game about 2 minutes sooner than he had in the previous two games. That feels like something that matters when the Pacers love to outrun and outgun opponents.
Were tired legs why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only took three shots — and only two free throws — in the fourth quarter after shooting at least five in his similar stints earlier in the game?
Were the Thunder worn down and lacking the focus and burst to grab a rebound? Is that why Toppin was able to put another signature playoff dunk on his highlight reel between four OKC defenders?
Is that why there was a shark in the water that struck to tie the game in the fourth?
Despite seeing it for four playoff series now, I am reticent to claim the Pacers simply condition at a higher level than any other team in the NBA. That doesn’t feel like it should be a thing.
The Pacers, blessed with an infinite turbo button, are 9-1 in clutch games. They have a 145.7 offensive rating in those situations, a 100 defensive rating, which equals a 45.7 net rating. That’s second, third, and second best, respectively, among all the playoff teams. All of those are better than the Thunder and their -2.5 net rating and 5-4 record in clutch games.
It’s worth noting that there is only one day of rest before Friday’s Game 4.
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