Pacers Edge Out Thunder in NBA Finals Game 3 Showdown
The 2025 NBA Finals have taken an exciting turn. On June 11, the Pacers and Thunder clashed at a packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3, and this wasn’t just another playoff game. With the series tied up, both teams came out swinging, but it was Indiana that pulled ahead late to secure a 116-107 victory. That puts the Pacers up 2-1 in the series, which is exactly the kind of twist this year’s Finals needed.
Let’s talk about where the action happened. Fans nationwide caught the live broadcast on ABC—a standard choice for the NBA’s biggest stage. For those who ditched cable long ago, streaming made life a lot easier. ESPN+ let you tune in from anywhere, and platforms like Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV sweetened the deal with free trial periods for new users. That meant plenty of basketball lovers watched a Finals game for free, legally. If streaming wasn’t your thing, local ABC affiliates kept things simple for viewers using a digital antenna.
Big Plays, Fresh Faces, and Streaming Game Changers
Game 3 wasn’t short on drama or standout performances. The Pacers leaned heavily on Bennedict Mathurin, who dropped a scorching 27 points and lit a fire under the home crowd. Tyrese Haliburton continued his floor general role, keeping Indiana organized on offense. The Thunder weren’t about to let Indiana stroll to a win, though. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams gave fans a show with impressive drives and clutch buckets, but it just wasn’t enough to steal back home-court advantage.
Missed the game live? Reruns and highlights are everywhere now, and those same streaming platforms—with their generous free trials—still give latecomers a way to catch the action. Pacers vs Thunder quickly became one of the most searched-for matchups as people scrambled to see those game-defining moments. Even if you’re not glued to every play, having so many legit, free streaming options makes following the Finals easier than ever.
This series keeps delivering surprises, and if Game 3 taught us anything, it’s that you can’t count either team out—whether you’re rooting on your couch, watching on ABC, or streaming on your phone. With Indiana ahead, the pressure’s on for Oklahoma City to punch back in Game 4.