Jun 8, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) battle for the loose ball during the third quarter of game two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Bennedict Mathurin Joins LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard in NBA History After Game 3

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 4:19 AM ET

The Indiana Pacers shocked the world when they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. More shockingly, of all the players who led the game in scoring, it was 22-year-old Bennedict Mathurin off the bench.

In 22 minutes off the bench, Mathurin put up 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist on 75/67/88 shooting from the field. Even more surprisingly, Mathurin scored 27 points on only two made three-pointers.

Bennedict Mathurin with a GAME-HIGH 27 points (9-12 FG) off the bench in the win pic.twitter.com/FzlJzZLiny
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 12, 2025

In fact, Mathurin's performance was so special that he actually joined a very rare elite list in NBA history.

On Wednesday night, Mathurin became one of only five players in NBA history to score 25+ points in a Finals game at 22 or younger. That list is comprised of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kobe Bryant, and Tony Parker.

Players this century to score 25+ in a Finals game at 22 or younger:

Bennedict Mathurin
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James
Tony Parker
Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/arYhHZiUrZ
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2025

If the Indiana Pacers win two more games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they'll pull off arguably the biggest upset in modern NBA Finals history. The only matchup more shocking was when the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a 3-1 comeback against the Golden State Warriors in 2016. However, in that instance, the Cavaliers weren't expected to be down 3-1 to begin with.

Series after series, the Indiana Pacers have shocked the NBA world. They've defeated Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks. With only two more wins, they'll take down the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder next.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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