INDIANAPOLIS — So, before Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals even got going, Rick Carlisle was in a mood. Just not into chitchatting about the Pacers’ defense tactics, you know, pickup points and all. Basically, he shot down any questions faster than you’d slam your laptop shut when someone sees you watching cat videos at work. Aggressive, right? Yeah, I thought so too.
But come the end of Game 3, Carlisle was all about praising his players. Holding the Thunder to just 18 points in the fourth quarter? That’s bananas! And they secured a 116-107 win. Now the Pacers are up 2-1 in the series, and fans are losing their minds over Game 4 happening right here in downtown Indy. Trust me, Friday’s gonna be epic.
Carlisle was, like, super chill about it all though. “Great guys, easy to convince,” he said while not mentioning strategy again. But seriously, if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Thunder’s magic man with the ball, why not just stop him from even getting it? Makes sense to me.
So, the Pacers cranked their defense to, like, a Spinal Tap-level 11. They went full-on press—33 times, if you can believe it. Oklahoma managed to break through sometimes, yeah, but mostly, they got stuck. Those guys not named Shai didn’t do so hot, scoring below their usual postseason efficiency. Oof.
Shai, the MVP, was basically hugged by defenders every second. Normally, he gets the ball a ton, but in Game 3, he barely got a sniff. Indiana was all up in his business, reducing him to 64 touches and cutting his average ball time way down. His teammates? Good, not MVP-level good.
They stuck Andrew Nembhard on him like glue, wanting to meet Shai 68 feet from their own hoop. Did you know a court’s only 94 feet? That’s just wild. Anyway, Nembhard’s a defensive beast, and Shai managed only 6 points with him plastered on. Man, Nembhard’s not playing around.
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton thought Andrew did amazing, “mixing it up,” he said. Shai’s awesome, waking up with 30 points on a bad day, but hey, mess with his rhythm, and it might throw him off.
And get this—first possession, Nembhard’s all up in Shai’s face, right? Causes a turnover, and the game’s barely begun! Imagine starting the game with an offensive foul just seconds in. That’s setting the frustration vibe early for the Thunder.
Shai’s Thunder buddy Dort gave him props for being tough. Gotta respect it. But, at practice later, Nembhard and Shai shrugged off the whole “inside your head” idea. Shai was smiling and said, “Emotionally agitated? Me? Nah, man, I’m cool.”
Still, you wouldn’t blame the guy. Indiana’s defense was relentless. Full-court press, challenging him every inch. Double-teaming him, making him defend everywhere. They planned to tire him out, have him gasping for air by the end.
T.J. McConnell spilled the beans after Game 1. “Wear him down, you know? He’s great, but everyone gets tired.” Keeping Shai busy made Oklahoma turn to other ball handlers—Caruso, Dort, even Holmgren ran the court once. But it wasn’t the same.
By the end, Oklahoma was struggling. Turnovers everywhere, and their offensive stat? Not great. Let’s just say it wasn’t their best night. Shai had six turnovers himself, pretty uncharacteristic for him.
Siakam from the Pacers summed it up: physical, gritty, every possession’s a grind. Shai brushed off the fatigue thing, said he’s had highs and lows late in games. But with just a day before Game 4, he’s got to power through the tiredness.
He said, “Suck it up, right? Only four games max left. Work for it, get it done.” And honestly? Love that attitude.
Anyway, let’s see what happens Friday. It’s gonna be a big one!
