The Indiana Pacers delivered a statement win in their Eastern Conference second-round playoff opener, stunning the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-112 on Sunday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The victory gave the Pacers a 1-0 lead in the series and sent a clear message—they’re not just here to compete, they’re here to conquer.
Pacers Start Strong, Finish Stronger
From the opening tip, Indiana showed no signs of being intimidated by the top-seeded Cavs. They raced out to a 36-25 lead after the first quarter, fueled by Pascal Siakam’s 10 early points and a barrage of three-pointers. The Pacers knocked down 19 shots from beyond the arc, with Andrew Nembhard leading the way by draining five en route to a team-high 23 points.
Tyrese Haliburton continued his elite postseason form with 22 points and 13 assists. Just days after sealing Indiana’s thrilling first-round win over Milwaukee with a game-winner in overtime, Haliburton controlled the tempo and delivered clutch plays down the stretch.
“We started the game the right way,” Haliburton said postgame. “This crowd is loud. This team is physical. We just had to stay composed and keep playing Pacers basketball.”
SUNDAY’S FINAL SCORES
Tyrese Haliburton records the double-double as the @Pacers win and take a 1-0 series lead in the East Semis!
Andrew Nembhard: 23 PTS, 6 AST, 5 3PM
Aaron Nesmith: 17 PTS, 8 REB, 4 3PM
Pascal Siakam: 17 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST
Donovan Mitchell: 33 PTS, 5… pic.twitter.com/O3lkhwTJnl— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2025
Mitchell Shines, But Cavs Miss Garland
Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell was electric, pouring in 33 points to keep the Cavs in striking distance. His scoring sprees in the second and third quarters helped the hosts erase a 12-point deficit and even take an 85-84 lead late in the third.
Evan Mobley stepped up with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but the Cavs clearly felt the absence of All-Star guard Darius Garland, who missed his third straight game due to a toe injury. Without Garland’s ball-handling and playmaking, the Cavaliers committed 17 turnovers that translated into 22 points for Indiana.
Despite their brief second-half lead, Cleveland couldn’t sustain momentum. The Pacers responded with a 15-4 scoring run in the fourth quarter, silencing the home crowd and sealing the upset win.
Balanced Pacers Attack Does the Damage
What makes this Indiana team dangerous is their depth. Six Pacers finished in double figures, with solid contributions from both starters and the bench. Myles Turner added 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Bennedict Mathurin chipped in with 14. T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin added spark off the bench, keeping Indiana’s tempo high throughout.
Indiana’s quick ball movement and relentless pace exposed gaps in Cleveland’s defense, and their hot shooting from three kept the Cavaliers chasing all night.
“We weathered the storm,” Haliburton said. “They’re the No. 1 seed for a reason, but we stayed locked in, got stops, and made them uncomfortable.”
Andrew Nembhard was lights out in Game 1
23 PTS
7-10 FG
5-6 3PT
6 AST pic.twitter.com/fbn46Jbuno— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 5, 2025
Next Man Up Mentality in Cleveland
While Cleveland will hope to have Garland back soon, they’ll need more from their supporting cast to keep pace with Indiana. Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro combined for just 16 points, while the Cavs struggled to get consistent bench production.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised his team’s resilience but admitted they need to take better care of the basketball and find a rhythm offensively if they’re to bounce back in Game 2.
Pacers Playing With Confidence
The win is another huge confidence boost for the Pacers, who already knocked out the Bucks in six games in the first round. Indiana is now proving they belong among the East’s elite. Their pace, shooting, and chemistry make them a tough out for any team.
For a franchise that hadn’t advanced past the first round since 2014, the Pacers are writing a new story with each game.
Rockets-Warriors Game 7 Set for Later
Later on Sunday, all eyes turned to Houston, where the Rockets were preparing to host the Golden State Warriors in a high-stakes Game 7. The Rockets are looking to become just the 14th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit.
Led by Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun, Houston has momentum on their side after two consecutive wins. The Warriors, with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, have the edge in playoff experience.
“We’ve got all the talent in the world,” said Sengun. “There’s no reason we can’t win this game. We just have to stay locked in.”
Whether it’s the underdog Pacers pulling off another upset or the Rockets trying to complete a miraculous comeback, the NBA playoffs are delivering the drama—and there’s a lot more to come.
READ NEXT:
