Tyrese Haliburton’s teammate on the Pacers reaches milestone achieved by LeBron and Kobe

Tyrese Haliburton emerged as a pivotal leader in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. With the Indiana Pacers holding a 2-1 advantage in the series, their fan base is starting to believe that this year might be the perfect opportunity to capture the franchise’s first title. On this championship quest, one of Haliburton’s teammates delivered an extraordinary performance, achieving a milestone shared by NBA legends LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

With a final score of 116-107 in Game 3, the Pacers demonstrated they are not just riding a wave of luck. Throughout the three games against OKC, they have exhibited the championship mentality necessary for securing an NBA title. Key contributions from players like Pascal Siakam have significantly bolstered the roster, helping the Pacers take the lead in the series.

During Wednesday night’s clash with the Thunder, Haliburton’s teammate, Benedict Mathurin, showcased his talents with an impressive performance against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his squad. Scoring 27 points in the NBA Finals, Mathurin joined an elite list that includes basketball icons like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

Mathurin became the fifth player in the past three decades to score 25 or more points in the NBA Finals at the age of 22 or younger. Being mentioned alongside Bryant and James is undoubtedly an encouragement to continue excelling in these NBA Finals, with the ultimate goal of securing the Pacers’ first NBA championship.

The elite circle: Kobe, LeBron, and the youngest NBA Finals achievers

Mathurin has joined an elite group of NBA players who made significant impacts before turning 22, a list that includes legends. Notably, another player who achieved this distinction is Kawhi Leonard, who reached this milestone during his time with the San Antonio Spurs.

In addition to Kobe, Kawhi, LeBron, and Mathurin, Tony Parker stands out as a prominent figure on this prestigious list. Parker’s inclusion came during his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs in the 2000s, when he made a substantial contribution alongside fellow superstar Tim Duncan.

Mathurin’s performance with the Pacers in the NBA Finals

Despite a quieter performance in the first two games of the NBA Finals, Mathurin stepped up in Game 3, delivering when the Indiana Pacers needed him the most. As the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder progresses, there remains ample opportunity for Mathurin to further showcase his skills and leave a lasting impact on the court.

Game-by-game finals stats:

• Game 1 (June 5, 2025): 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in 16 minutes. (Pacers W)
• Game 2 (June 8, 2025): 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist in 22 minutes. (Pacers L)
• Game 3 (June 11, 2025): 27 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist in 22 minutes. (Pacers W)
  • This was a playoff career-high for Mathurin.
  • His 27 points were the most by any bench player in an NBA Finals game since Jason Terry’s 27-point performance in 2011.
  • He achieved this on highly efficient shooting: 9-of-12 from the field, 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.
  • It also set a record for the most points scored in an NBA Finals game by a player logging 22 minutes or fewer.

• Overall Finals Averages (through 3 games):
  • Points Per Game (PPG): 15.3
  • Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 3.0
  • Assists Per Game (APG): 1.3
  • Minutes Per Game (MPG): 20.0
  • Field Goal % (FG%): 61.9% (14-22 FG)
  • 3-Point % (3P%): 42.9% (3-7 3PT)
  • Free Throw % (FT%): 80.0% (15-20 FT)