The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 at home in a crucial Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals, taking a 2-1 lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP favorite, scored a respectable but unimpressive 24 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and blocked three shots. But what really struck a chord was his honesty in the locker room after the game: the Thunder just weren’t aggressive enough when it counted. Here’s a closer look at SGA’s critical analysis, pivotal moments in the game, and future plans.
The Early Exchange
Oklahoma City had a fantastic start, jumping out to a 15–6 lead in the first few minutes, which was their largest lead of the evening. But in the end, the Pacers gained the upper hand, particularly in the crucial second and fourth quarters when they outscored the Thunder 32–18, a margin that ultimately determined the outcome of the game.
Shai’s Candid Admission
Postgame, SGA didn’t deflect blame—he took it directly:
“They were aggressive. They were high on the pick‑and‑rolls… more forceful. It starts with me, but we gotta apply that pressure back.”
He identified the Pacers’ offensive strategy’s tenacity and acknowledged that the Thunder lacked that level of commitment. The game went overwhelmingly in Indiana’s advantage due to 17 costly turnovers, many of which were caused by that pressure.
What Went Wrong for OKC
- Turnovers Tore Them Apart
The Pacers generated 21 points directly from the Thunder’s 19 turnovers—a catastrophic swing. Five of those came from backcourt wizard T.J. McConnell - Bench Depth Disparity
While Indiana’s bench exploded for 49 points—featuring 27 from Bennedict Mathurin—OKC’s reserves only put up 18. Down the stretch, it was one team’s bench outworking the other’s - Late-Game Apathy
Gilgeous-Alexander echoed Coach Daigneault’s assessment: OKC controlled quarters 1 and 3, but collapsed in 2 and 4. Lacking aggression and mental fortitude down the stretch cost them the game
Looking at Shai’s Mindset
SGA admitted this responsibility falls on his shoulders as the team leader. His mature reflection:
“It starts with me.” With the season on the line, he made it clear: he expected more—not only from opponents, but from himself .
His acknowledgment of inconsistency is a sign of both accountability and veteran clarity at the Finals level.
What Comes Next
- Game 4 Adjustments
With Game 4 also in Indianapolis, the Thunder face a must-win. SGA and company must match Pick‑and‑Roll intensity, cut down turnovers, and rely on bench consistency to stay alive - Shai’s Response
Expect him to step up—if not in flash stats, then in hustle, vocal leadership, and physicality. If he can ignite that aggression he spoke of, OKC can regain control. - Indiana’s Challenge
Meanwhile, the Pacers will push to steal Game 4. Keeping up their physicality and bench dominance is key—but they’ll need an early start, something they failed to sustain in their road loss.
Final Take
The truthfulness of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game 3 is evident: this series is about fighting, not style. Starting strong is insufficient; you also need to end stronger. The Pacers’ tenacity, which OKC lacked, was a sign of impending disaster.
The burden now shifts to SGA: does he lead by example as MVP? Does his demeanor change the course of these playoffs? His response in Game 4 may potentially determine the Thunder’s season.