The Oklahoma City Thunder faced the Indiana Pacers on the road in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, aiming to take control of the series. Initially, the Thunder surged to an early lead, only for the Pacers to rally back and claim a halftime edge. After regaining momentum in the third quarter, the Thunder faltered in the fourth, allowing the Pacers to outscore them 32-18, securing a 116-107 victory and a 2-1 series lead.

The Thunder's defeat stemmed from 19 turnovers, significantly hampering their performance. Additionally, missed free throws in critical moments further contributed to their downfall. Notably, NBA legend Charles Barkley criticized Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault for altering the starting lineup by including Cason Wallace over Isaiah Hartenstein, a decision that may have backfired against a formidable Pacers lineup featuring Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam.