Indianapolis, Ind. — In a thrilling finish, the Indiana Pacers delivered a stunning upset against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference semifinals, winning 120-119 on Tuesday night. The Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton secured the victory with a three-pointer just one second left on the clock. With this win, Indiana takes a commanding 2-0 lead in the series as they prepare to host Game 3 on Friday.
The Cavaliers faced significant challenges in Game 2, missing three pivotal players: Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De’Andre Hunter, all sidelined due to injuries. Despite this, star guard Donovan Mitchell showcased his remarkable talent, scoring 48 points and distributing nine assists. Yet, the Cavs could not maintain their narrow lead from the fourth quarter, enduring a disappointing loss.
The Cavaliers, who entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s top seed, had earlier exhibited dominance in their first-round sweep of the Miami Heat. That series was marked by an impressive offensive display, with Cleveland outscoring Miami by a staggering 122 points over four games and seeing seven players average double figures in scoring.
In contrast, the Pacers had a tougher first-round matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, emerging victorious in five games. Haliburton played a key role in sealing that series, averaging 17.6 points and 11.6 assists, and demonstrated his clutch performance again in Game 2 against the Cavaliers.
With the next game set for Friday night, the stakes are high for Cleveland, which now finds itself just two losses away from elimination. The Pacers, buoyed by their recent victories, will look to extend their series lead, while the Cavaliers will aim to rally and reclaim momentum on the road.
Game details continue to evolve as the series progresses, with scheduled matchups including Game 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Game 4 at 8 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on major networks, keeping fans engaged in what promises to be an electrifying series.
As the playoff intensity builds, all eyes will be on how the Cavaliers respond to this adversity and whether Indiana can maintain their strong showing.