The Thunder’s Struggles in Game 3
The Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves in a precarious position in the NBA Finals after suffering a series of turnover mishaps in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers. This resulted in a 116-107 loss, putting them at a 2-1 disadvantage in the series.
Turning Point in the Game
The game took a pivotal turn when the Thunder held a tenuous 95-91 lead with just over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. A defensive rebound opportunity slipped away from Chet Holmgren, which allowed Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard to capitalize with a quick jump shot, tying the game at 95 after a problematic inbound pass from Alex Caruso allowed TJ McConnell to steal the ball and score on a layup.
This sequence was particularly disheartening for the Thunder as a defensive rebound would have given them a crucial four-point lead and possession.
However, within seconds, their control of the game evaporated. Caruso, trying to quickly pass to Jalen Williams, inadvertently provided an easy steal for McConnell, who executed a sneaky play reminiscent of those seen in lower levels of basketball.
Williams expressed the collective frustration in the postgame remarks, labeling the turnovers as “bad, unforced errors.”
Momentum Shift
The game’s dynamics began to shift when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took his first break, leading to a detrimental stretch for the Thunder where they trailed 37-36, largely due to McConnell’s aggressive plays. McConnell was instrumental in shifting momentum, notching two of his three steals during out-of-bounds situations.
As Caruso explained, these types of turnovers can lead to significant scoring swings, referred to as “pick-sixes” in basketball.
Individual Performance Highlights
Gilgeous-Alexander was particularly affected in this game, racking up six turnovers, more than any single game he had played since December. This highlighted a lack of precision and focus on the court. This careless execution starkly contrasted with the Thunder’s impressive season average of just 11.7 turnovers per game, showcasing a significant deviation in their performance.
Despite leading the league in ball security during the season, the Thunder’s 19 turnovers in Game 3 stand out against their playoff performances thus far, where they hadn’t exceeded 16 in any prior game.
Coach’s Perspective
Head Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the issue postgame but refrained from placing blame, noting that while the effort was commendable, mistakes ultimately cost them the game. The Thunder need to recover quickly as they gave up 40 points in a second quarter where they failed to create any turnovers while their bench was outscored 49-18.
The Thunder enter a crucial Game 4 with their playoff run on the line and will face a buoyant Pacers team eager to build on their success.
