In a thrilling Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder hit a clutch 3-pointer at the buzzer in the third quarter to give his team a lead, but the Indiana Pacers stormed back in the fourth quarter to secure a 116-107 victory. The Pacers' relentless pressure and execution down the stretch proved to be the difference-maker as they outscored the Thunder by a significant margin in crunch time for the second time in the series. Despite a strong performance from Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City struggled to close out possessions and make shots in the final minutes, allowing the Pacers to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Pacers demonstrated their prowess in clutch situations, improving to an impressive 9-1 record in such games this postseason. For the Thunder, it's a familiar position as they find themselves trailing in a series once again after battling back from a 2-1 deficit in the Western Conference semifinals. As the teams prepare for Game 4, Oklahoma City knows they must improve their execution and composure in critical moments to have a shot at evening the series and regaining momentum in their quest for the championship title.