NBA Playoffs: Haliburton, Nembhard Lead Pacers Past Cavs in Game 1 Stunner

Indiana steals home-court advantage with clutch late run and strong team effort

The Indiana Pacers made a big statement in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup, holding off a late Cleveland Cavaliers surge to secure a 121-112 victory Sunday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With the win, the Pacers not only snatched a 1-0 series lead but also grabbed home-court advantage from the East’s top seed.

Pacers Survive Cleveland’s Comeback Push

Indiana looked in control early, building a double-digit lead in the third quarter and appearing on the verge of pulling away. But Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell had other plans. Mitchell erupted for 12 points in the third and powered a 17-4 run that trimmed the Pacers’ lead to just two points heading into the fourth quarter.

Just when it seemed Cleveland might seize momentum, Myles Turner drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to keep Indiana in front — a shot that would prove pivotal.

Nembhard Ignites Late Surge

With the game hanging in the balance, second-year guard Andrew Nembhard delivered when it mattered most. He knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers during a critical 13-2 run late in the fourth that gave Indiana the breathing room it needed. From there, the Pacers finished strong, closing the night on a 20-10 burst.

Outside of Mitchell, the Cavs’ offense sputtered in the final eight minutes. Cleveland managed just two field goals outside of Mitchell’s three late layups, including a meaningless Ty Jerome 3-pointer in garbage time.

Mitchell Makes History, But Cavs Fall Short

Despite the loss, Donovan Mitchell turned in another historic postseason performance. His 33-point outing made NBA history as his eighth straight Game 1 with at least 30 points — breaking Michael Jordan’s long-standing record. He also added five rebounds and four assists but struggled from deep, going just 1-of-11 from beyond the arc.

Evan Mobley chipped in with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jerome added 21 points off the bench, albeit on an inefficient 8-of-20 shooting. The Cavs’ poor perimeter shooting proved costly, finishing just 9-of-38 (23.7%) from 3-point range.

Garland’s Absence Felt

Cleveland was without starting point guard Darius Garland, who missed his third straight game due to a sprained toe. Although imaging showed no structural damage, Garland is still dealing with significant pain and swelling and remains day-to-day — a key absence that may have impacted the Cavs’ rhythm.

Balanced Effort Propels Indiana

Nembhard led the way for Indiana with 23 points and six assists, hitting 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Tyrese Haliburton contributed 22 points and 13 rebounds, and all five Pacers starters scored in double figures. Indiana shot better than 52% from both the field and beyond the arc in a well-rounded offensive showing.

What’s Next?

Game 2 tips off Tuesday night in Cleveland, and the pressure is now squarely on the Cavaliers. After cruising through the first round, they suddenly find themselves in danger of another early exit unless they can quickly regroup and respond.