logo
NBA Finals Game 3 live updates: Thunder-Pacers prediction, TV channel

NBA Finals Game 3 live updates: Thunder-Pacers prediction, TV channel

Following his 38-point performance in the Thunder's Game 1 loss, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exploded for 34 points in Game 2 win. During the win, Gilgeous-Alexander became the 12th player in NBA history to score 3,000 points in the regular season and postseason, joining the likes of Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Is another big game in store for the 2025 NBA MVP?
Meanwhile, Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton has struggled to get going in the 2025 NBA Finals so far. Despite scoring the go-ahead field goal to steal Game 1 from the Thunder, Haliburton has been limited to 14 points in Game 1 and 17 points in Game 2.
It all adds up to a must-see Game 3. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along.
What time is Thunder vs Pacers game today?
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
8:30 p.m. ET Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana) TV: ABC
ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV
Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo
Where is Game 3 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Though he walked with a limp following Oklahoma City's Game 2 victory, Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton is not on the NBA's official injury report for Game 3.
He called it a "lower leg thing" on Tuesday, June 10, and said, "I'm fine ... I'll leave it at that. I don't think there's anything more to elaborate. I feel fine, and I'll be ready to go for Game 3."
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said, "He practiced. He went through everything. I know he has some discomfort. He feels it. But each day it's getting better. I don't think you're going to hear him making a big deal out of it."
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA Championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. It has not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.
The 2025 NBA Finals is, in many ways, a celebration of the point guard.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's Most Valuable Player and the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, and Tyrese Haliburton, the pass-first point guard with a penchant in the clutch, are each franchise's hope to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Though they likely won't match up directly all the time, the responsibility of guarding the other likely falling to more specialized defenders, Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton are reshaping the image of the point guard in the modern NBA.
USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes look at the Pacers and Thunder's biggest stars.
Game 3 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
Official assignments are announced at 9 a.m. on the day of the game. Here are the referees assigned to the 2025 NBA Finals.
James Capers (13th Finals)
Tony Brothers (14th Finals)
Tyler Ford (First Finals)
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to take a 2-1 series lead over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Tuesday, June 10):
Spread : Thunder (-5.5)
: Thunder (-5.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-220); Pacers (+180)
: Thunder (-220); Pacers (+180) Over/under: 228.5
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 2 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Saturday, June 7)
Series winner: Thunder (-600); Pacers (+425)
USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder
Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA Today Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals
Scooby Axson: Thunder in five
Thunder in five Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
Thunder in six James Williams: Thunder in six
Thunder in six Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five
USA TODAY: Most pick the Thunder in Game 3
Scooby Axson: Pacers 110, Thunder 107
Pacers 110, Thunder 107 Jordan Mendoza : Thunder 102, Pacers 98
: Thunder 102, Pacers 98 Cydney Henderson : Thunder 115, Pacers 107
: Thunder 115, Pacers 107 Lorenzo Reyes : Thunder 111, Pacers 104
: Thunder 111, Pacers 104 Heather Tucker : Pacers 108, Thunder 101
: Pacers 108, Thunder 101 Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 110, Pacers 101
All times Eastern; *-if necessary

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Solitary sin as Stephen A Smith caught playing on phone in 'embarrassing' clip from NBA Finals
Solitary sin as Stephen A Smith caught playing on phone in 'embarrassing' clip from NBA Finals

Daily Mail​

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Solitary sin as Stephen A Smith caught playing on phone in 'embarrassing' clip from NBA Finals

Stephen A Smith's credibility as a sports commentator is being questioned after he was seen playing solitaire on his phone during the NBA Finals on Friday night. The ESPN analyst was caught in the 'embarrassing' act by a home fan as the Indiana Pacers hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Smith was working for the broadcaster on the night - meaning he was expected to provide analysis before, during and after the game. X user @BleedBlue1986 wrote: 'How can you have all of these opinions while you're playing solitaire instead of watching the game @stephenasmith?' It was initially unclear whether the image was genuine or not, despite the photographer - Kimberly - insisting she took it during the third quarter. After it went viral online, Smith confirmed the picture is real. He responded on X: 'Yep! That's me. Who would've thought….I can multi-task. 'Especially during TIMEOUTS! Hope y'all are enjoying the NBA Finals. This is going 7 games now, peeps!' Yet Kimberly hit back in an instant, shutting down Smith's claim that it was captured during a timeout. 'Fool, this was you during game play,' she replied along with another picture of him tackling the card game. 'There's videos. You started this new round during timeouts.' Admission: After it went viral, Smith confirmed the photo is real and claimed it was taken during a timeout Footage shared by another user online appears to show Smith playing solitaire while Pacers and Thunders players are very much in action on the court. The First Take personality also poked fun at the controversy by sharing a mocked-up image of a solitaire game positioned just above coverage of Friday's Pacers-Thunder matchup. But NBA fans were far from impressed by his lack of focus on the biggest game of the season so far. 'That's embarrassing,' one user said about Smith's behavior in Indianapolis. 'He is a disgrace,' another fumed. 'And some of you believe he watches games in his free time from home. He can't even watch a game 4 NBA finals game in person,' argued a third. 'ESPN used to be serious but have become such a gimmick based sports network.' 'Bro don't even care about the game,' wrote a fourth. While one simply asked: 'Good god really???' Tears why u lying — ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) June 14, 2025 In the game itself, the Thunder went on a 12-1 run in the final three minutes of the game to stun the Pacers in a 111-104 come-from-behind victory, which has tied the NBA Finals at two games apiece. Newly-crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a game-high 35 points to lead all scorers, including a 12-for-24 mark from the field. Smith's embarrassing moment comes after he ramped up his feud with Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton, who appeared to throw shade at him earlier this week by saying: 'What do they really know about basketball?' After responding by calling him 'ignorant,' the outspoken analyst continued about Haliburton: 'It just amazes me how cats can be sometimes. 'Win the damn chip, bro. In the first two games of this NBA final series, you had your moment with 1.3 seconds left. Other than that, you didn't play well. 'That ain't on me. That's on you, you know. And, oh, by the way, just in case he was talking about me, my brother, I'm not going away. 'I'm gonna be here for a while. So next year, and the year after that… I'm going to be here, and players far more accomplished and far more superior have made their efforts trying to call me out. How has that worked out?'

Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever star's status for game vs. Liberty
Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever star's status for game vs. Liberty

The Herald Scotland

time5 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever star's status for game vs. Liberty

Clark suffered the quad injury during the Fever's 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty on May 24. She was initially ruled out for at least two weeks, setting up her tentative return on June 10 against the Atlanta Dream, but the Fever ultimately decided to err on the side of caution with the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Now, Clark is ready to play. She will suit up on June 14 as the Fever host the reigning champion Liberty. Indiana is getting back its leader in scoring (19 points per game) and assists (9.3); her assists per game average leads the league. The Fever went 2-3 in Clark's absence and have a 4-5 record this season entering the game against New York. Here's everything we know about Clark's injury and her return: Is Caitlin Clark playing vs. Liberty on Saturday? Yes. The Fever announced Clark will play in Indiana's matchup against the New York Liberty following a five-game absence due to a left quad injury. Caitlin Clark injury update: What happened? Clark is sure she suffered the left quad strain during the Fever's loss to the Liberty on May 24 -- where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists -- but she can't pinpoint a specific play that caused her injury. She only knows that it happened early on in the contest. "Obviously, adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you're in the heat of battle," Clark said on Thursday. "And after the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn't want to see. But, you know, those types of things don't lie." On June 5, Clark said she's "made a lot of progress" in her recovery and "feels good." However, the star guard said she's "not going to rush back if it's not worth it," despite being inpatient to get back on the court. She described her status as "day-to-day" and said she was will undergo a reevaluation. What's Caitlin Clark been up to? Although Clark hasn't been able to take the court, the Iowa alum has kept herself busy and engaged with her team. She's been a vocal leader on the bench and has tapped into the "coaching kind of mindset," Fever coach Stephanie White previously said, to sharpen and hone her skills. Clark also cheered on her NBA counterparts, the Indiana Pacers, in the NBA Finals alongside her Fever teammates. She attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals and the Pacers' Game 6 win over the Knicks to clinch the Eastern Conference Finals, both at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Caitlin Clark stats Clark leads the WNBA in assists per game to start the 2025 season. Here's a look at the 2024 Rookie of the Year's full stats (per game): Games played : 4 : 4 Minutes : 35 : 35 Points : 19 : 19 Rebounds : 6 : 6 Assists : 9.3 : 9.3 Steals : 1.3 : 1.3 Blocks : 1 : 1 Turnovers : 5 : 5 FG% : 40.3 : 40.3 3P%: 31.4 The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news -- for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

NBA Finals: Will Pacers or Thunder win? Team that stays in character
NBA Finals: Will Pacers or Thunder win? Team that stays in character

The Herald Scotland

time5 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

NBA Finals: Will Pacers or Thunder win? Team that stays in character

Yet, with their 116-107 victory Wednesday, June 11, the Pacers took a 2-1 lead over Oklahoma City and now sit two victories from their first NBA Finals title in franchise history. Things could be very different. The Thunder were the best team in the NBA regular season (68-14) and appear to have the deeper team. But, in many ways, these NBA Finals are a case study of what happens in a clash of teams that -- when they play to their strengths and style -- are very tough to beat. The question becomes: how does one get the other to play out of sorts? A lot of it has come down to effort. ANALYSIS: Game 3 winners and losers: Pacers' D contains SGA; Thunder turnovers are costly OPINION: How the New York Knicks botched their search for a new head coach "I just thought they really outplayed us on both ends," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said Wednesday after the game. "I thought they were in character in terms of their physicality, their pressure on defense. Then they were in character in terms of their pace on offense. "They just stacked way more quality possessions in the fourth quarter than we did." That's the essence: at this stage in the NBA postseason, with elite teams vying for championships, merely staying in character can mark the difference between winning and losing. For the Pacers, the key appears to lie in speed and protecting the ball. Because when Indiana does that, it puts up more shots. And as the top shooting team this postseason (49.5%), more shots means more points. More points for this team also signifies fewer transition opportunities for Oklahoma City. After committing six turnovers Wednesday in the first quarter, the Pacers committed just a single one in the second. Indiana, unsurprisingly, outscored Oklahoma City by 12 in the period. This was the run that set the tone for the rest of the game. When the Pacers turning the ball over, they play right into Oklahoma City's preferred style. Because the Thunder are at their best when they are physical and handsy on defense, deflecting passes and clogging the paint. And when the Thunder force teams into turnovers, they can ignite on explosive and overwhelming runs that can put games away. But when they don't force turnovers, they can become too reliant on Gilgeous-Alexander to lift the team. "They were aggressive," Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. "I'm not sure how many points they had, but it felt like when they scored, we were going against a set defense, and it's always harder against a set defense." Perhaps surprising some, the Pacers have been the aggressor on defense so far. As they have all postseason, relying on their youth, conditioning and athleticism, the Pacers have picked up the opposing team's best player -- Gilgeous-Alexander -- full court, gradually wearing him down. This has also slowed Oklahoma City's offensive operation, forcing them to work in the halfcourt, which has been exposed this series as something of a weakness. In the fourth quarter Wednesday, a weary Gilgeous-Alexander put up just three shot attempts and did not record a single assist. Game 4 on Friday, June 13 (8 p.m. ET, ABC) becomes pivotal. The Thunder are still favored to even the series, but a 3-1 Indiana lead could become insurmountable. Can either team rely on its character to win the series? It has felt, at times, like the difference has been levels of aggression and intention. "When you execute the right way, whether it's two years ago in some game that doesn't seem very meaningful in mid-January or in Game 3 of the Finals, these guys see where important things are important, and hard things are hard," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "That's a phrase I've used many times, hard things are hard. But our guys, they have made the investment, and it's an ongoing thing. It's like a great marriage; it's a lot of work."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store