NBA: Pacers Stun Top-Seeded Cavaliers Behind Haliburton’s Late Heroics
The Indiana Pacers pulled off a major upset on Sunday night, taking down the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. The team had a revolutionary night with a 121-112 lead for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The game occurred at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, where Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with clutch plays and steady leadership. Pacers’ teamwork and determination to win this season give them a 1-0 lead in the series.
Haliburton finished with 22 points, 13 assists, and three blocked shots. One of the defining moments came when he hit a go-ahead three-pointer with just over six minutes left. This impressive shot provided a way for the Pacers to get a 104-102 lead, sparking a crucial 15-4 run that helped Indiana pull away late in the game.
Haliburton came up big on defense too, blocking a Max Strus three-point attempt in the closing minutes. This move quickly turned into a fast-break layup. His passing was also critical, with his assists generating 34 points, including eight made threes by teammates. Even though he only hit 2-of-6 from beyond the arc himself, his overall impact was undeniable.
This performance came just days after Haliburton was voted one of the league’s most overrated players in a recent player poll. That didn’t seem to faze him. “We’re definitely the heavy underdog, but we’re trying to control what we can,” Haliburton said after the game.
The Pacers didn’t just rely on Haliburton. Their win was a whole team effort. All five starters scored in double figures, with Andrew Nembhard leading the way at 23 points, including five three-pointers. Two of those came during the team’s late-game run. Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith each chipped in 17 points, with Nesmith hitting three threes early in the third quarter. Myles Turner added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, along with three steals and two blocks. Indiana was red-hot from long range as a team, hitting 19 of 36 threes, good for 52.8 percent.
“We had an exceptionally good shot-making night, but the key word is aggression,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “We’ve got to be in attack mode to beat this team.”
On the other hand, the Cavaliers struggled to find any offensive rhythm. Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 33 points and made playoff history. It became the first player to score 30 or more points in eight straight series openers. He passed the legendary Michael Jordan with that milestone. Still, it was a tough shooting night for him—he hit 13 of 30 shots overall and only 1 of 11 from three-point range.
Cleveland’s three-point shooting was a significant issue. The team finished just 9-of-38 from deep, their second-worst percentage of the season. Evan Mobley contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to compensate for the team’s cold shooting. The Cavaliers also played their third straight game without starting point guard Darius Garland, who’s dealing with a sprained left big toe. His absence was felt, especially in the half-court offense.
“We missed a lot of good looks, and then when you miss shots, that’s when they get going in transition,” Mitchell said, pointing to one of the Pacers’ biggest strengths—pushing the pace after missed shots.
The game itself had several swings in momentum. The Pacers jumped out early and led by as much as 12 in the second and third quarters. But the Cavaliers fought back in the third with a 13-0 run sparked by Mitchell. They even took a brief 102-101 lead in the fourth after a Max Strus free throw. That’s when Haliburton hit his key three-pointer, and the Pacers never looked back. Myles Turner also helped steady the team, hitting a three at the end of the third to give Indiana a 92-90 lead heading into the final period.
“I thought we did a good job when that ‘Cavalanche’ was on the way,” Haliburton said. “We did a great job of weathering that.”
The result was Cleveland’s first postseason loss after they swept the Miami Heat in the first round. Meanwhile, the Pacers continue a strong playoff run after knocking out the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. It’s a big moment for Indiana, which lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. Now that they have their first win in this semifinal, the team is looking to go further this season.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson wasn’t too pleased after the game, especially with how the team looked offensively. “I don’t feel like we had the rhythm of the game… We’ll figure out the three-point shooting,” he said. He also pointed out how Indiana’s speed and pace caused problems.
Game 2 is set for Tuesday night in Cleveland. The Cavaliers will aim to bounce back and even the series, while the Pacers will try to build on their momentum and take a commanding 2-0 lead on the road.
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Stats
Final Score: Indiana 121 – Cleveland 112
Quarter Scores: 27–23, 29–28, 36–39, 29–22
Indiana Pacers:
Nembhard 23, Haliburton 22, Siakam 17, Nesmith 17, Turner 13, McConnell 9, Toppin 8, Mathurin 6, Jackson 4, Brown 2, Smith 0, Sheppard 0
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Mitchell 33, Mobley 20, Allen 17, Strus 12, Okoro 11, LeVert 9, Niang 6, Merrill 2, Thompson 2, Porter Jr. 0, Jerome 0, Wade 0
