Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Indiana Pacers Set Several NBA Playoff Records After First-Half Explosion vs. Cavaliers in Game 4

Indiana Pacers dished out 25 assists, breaking both franchise and league playoff records.

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers delivered their best ever first-half performance on Sunday night to set several NBA records against the Cavaliers. The Pacers dropped 80 points in the opening half and humiliated the Cavs with one of the biggest blowout playoff wins in franchise history.

At halftime, the Pacers built a 80-39 lead over the Cavs, shooting 60.0% from the floors and 66.7% from the 3-point range. It was their best 3-point shooting in opening half of a playoff game. Following a first-half explosion, the Pacers secured a crucial victory in the series to take a 3-1 lead. Indiana are just one win away to reach conference finals.

dropped 80 in the first half 😮‍💨

it's a 41-point game. pic.twitter.com/45fKF2sYrl
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 12, 2025

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Indiana Pacers Tie NBA playoff Record With 41-Point First-Half Lead

Indiana Pacers tied an NBA playoff record with a 41-point halftime lead on Sunday. The 41-point first-half lead is the joint-highest in a NBA playoff game. Indiana matched the previous mark set by the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2017 conference finals against the Celtics. The Pacers tied the record on Aaron Nesmith’s buzzer-beating mid-range jumper.

The Pacers lost one of their key players, Bennedict Mathurin, who ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul during the first quarter. Cavs also missed one of their top scorers, Donovan Mitchell in the second half as the star player limped to the locker room with an ankle injury.

THIS PACERS FLURRY TO END THE 1ST HALF WAS CRAZY ‼️😱

80 PTS: franchise-postseason record for points in a half
25 AST: NBA-postseason record for assists in a half in the play-by-play era (1998) pic.twitter.com/bLZoxTuND0
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2025

It was the 10th instance when a team has scored 80 points in a half. Earlier this week, the Thunder dropped 87 points in Game 2 against Denver which remains the highest in the playoff history. Meanwhile, the Pacers set a franchise record for most points at half time, surpassing their 74 against the Cavaliers in 2017. Surprisingly, Indiana broke their previous record against the same team.

Indiana Pacers dished out 25 assists in first half, breaking both franchise and league playoff records. The Cavaliers struggled with 25% shooting from the floor and 26.3% from 3-point range. They committed 14 turnovers in fist half and had only three assists. In the second quarter, the Pacers outscored them 42-16 and opened up a 40-point lead.

Also Read: Donovan Mitchell Scripts Franchise History As Cleveland Cavaliers Cool Off Indiana Pacers to Trim Series Deficit to 2-1

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.