INDIANAPOLIS — The Cleveland Cavaliers breathed new life into their playoff run with a decisive 126-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers, narrowing their deficit in the Eastern Conference semifinals to 2-1. The win, which took place inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, provided a much-needed boost as the Cavs aimed to reclaim momentum in a series that had so far tilted against them.
Cleveland came out strong, quickly establishing dominance by scoring the first 11 points of the game. This early surge set the tone for the matchup, as the Cavaliers, bolstered by the return of key players like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter, showcased their full strength for the first time since April 23. Despite their initial advantage, the Pacers fought back to tie the game at 32 by the end of the first quarter.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson, who recently received the NBA Coach of the Year award, adapted his strategy in the second quarter, switching to a zone defense that effectively disrupted Indiana’s high-scoring offense. The Pacers, typically among the most efficient teams in the postseason, managed only 13 points in that quarter. By halftime, Cleveland had built their biggest lead of the series, entering the fourth quarter with an 18-point advantage.
However, the Pacers attempted to mount a comeback late in the game. With just over eight minutes remaining, they cut the lead to 11, compelling Atkinson to call a timeout as crowd enthusiasm swelled. The Cavs had experienced heartbreak in their previous game, where they squandered a late lead, but this time they turned to star player Donovan Mitchell. He quickly responded with eight consecutive points, effectively quelling the Pacers’ resurgence.
Mitchell’s performance was instrumental, as he finished the game with 43 points, shooting 14-of-29 from the field. His ability to score under pressure, coupled with contributions from Max Strus and Mobley, who added 20 and 18 points respectively, allowed the Cavaliers to stretch their lead to as much as 26 points during the fourth quarter before the team emptied its bench.
“Our focus was on not letting that happen again,” Mitchell said after the game. “It wasn’t just me. This was a team effort with stops and plays.” The contributions from all corners of the roster signaled a collective resolve that proved critical.
Garland, returning from an injury that sidelined him for two weeks, scored 10 points and emphasized the need for the team’s unity. “We all put our bodies on the line for this game. This win feels great, but we have to keep pushing forward,” he remarked.
Atkinson, before the game, refused to label it as a “must-win,” preferring instead to focus on regaining their identity as a team. The Cavaliers’ performance echoed the brilliance of a franchise that won 64 games during the regular season and quickly dispatched the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. With their key players back in form, the Cavaliers now aim to shift the narrative of the series in their favor.
As they head into Game 4 on Sunday, the Cavaliers are aware that the road to the finals remains challenging. “We can’t let our guard down. We won one game, and that’s just the beginning,” Mitchell stated resolutely.
The pivotal matchup will tip off at 8 p.m. as the Cavaliers look to continue their fight and draw closer to an equal series.