Leading the NBA Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-1, the Indiana Pacers advance to Game 4, yet despite this apparent ascendancy, an atmosphere of equanimity prevails within both camps, as Pacers' guard Tyrese Haliburton averred, underscoring the considerable distance remaining in their pursuit of ultimate victory.

In Game 3, the Pacers decisively wrested control, securing a 116-107 victory buoyed by superlative performances from Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell, culminating in a resounding 49-18 advantage in bench scoring that starkly overshadowed the Thunder's reserves, notwithstanding Oklahoma City's initially vigorous offensive forays in the first and third quarters.

Rick Carlisle, the Pacers' tactician, underscored the imperative of cultivating a "killer instinct" within the series; should the Thunder prevail in Game 4, the best-of-seven would be delicately poised at 2-2, affording them the strategic advantage of hosting two of the remaining three contests on their home court.

Despite exhibiting a bout of illness that threatens to sideline him, Myles Turner of the Pacers, whose substantial contributions proved pivotal in Game 3, is anticipated to persevere and compete in Game 4.