NBA Playoffs 2025: Fourth Quarter Rally Helps Pacers Stun Cavaliers in Eastern Conference Semifinals

The Indiana Pacers had a successful outing in Cleveland as they took down the hosts 121-112 to kick start their NBA Playoffs 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals series. The Pacers, who headed into the series with a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, are now leading the series 1-0. Andrew Nembhard came up with 23 points and six assists in 37 minutes of action to lead the Pacers to the other side of the victory line. 

Tyrese Haliburton dropped 22 points, three rebounds, and 13 assists in 16 minutes. Haliburton was shooting 7-of-15 from the field and 2-of-6 from the three point arc. He now holds the record for the most playoff games in the history of the franchise with over 20 points and 10+ assists. Apart from them, Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith dropped 17 points and eight rebounds apiece. 

The Cavaliers, who were considered heavy favorites to emerge on top following their regular season finish and sweep over Miami Heat, played without Darius Garland. This was the third straight game that Garland missed with his toe sprain. They had Donovan Mitchell pouring in 33 points, five rebounds, and four assists. While Mitchell’s performance couldn’t win them the game, he had something to celebrate. 

The game marked Mitchell’s eighth straight Game 1 with 30 points or more. With this, he broke the record set by Michael Jordan, who had two different streaks of seven straight Game 1 with 30+ points. 

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Indiana Pacers Keep Cavs in Check Early Into the Game

The Indiana Pacers maintained an early dominance into the game as Pascal Siakam came up with seven points and a steal within four minutes of action. The Pacers headed into the second quarter with a heavy 36-25 lead as Siakam recorded 10 points in the first period. The second period saw the hosts cut the lead to five points, owing to Evan Mobley and Ty Jerome’s offensive prowess, as they combined 15 points in the second quarter. 

While the Cavs were successful in narrowing the deficit to four points, Andrew Nembhard came up with seven points in the final five minutes before the break. The Pacers headed into halftime with a 64-58 lead. In the third quarter, Aaron Nesmith’s six points gave the Pacers an early advantage. Midway through the third quarter, the Cavs came up with a 15-4 run, and had Pacers trailing 85-84. 

However, Turner’s 3-pointer at the buzzer of the third quarter helped the Pacers gain a slim 92-90 lead as the game headed into the fourth quarter. The Pacers started the fourth quarter on a 10-2 run. With less than three minutes remaining, they had another 13-4 run, where they turned a one-point deficit into an eight-point lead. In the final period, Haliburton came up with nine points, three assists and two blocked shots, including a 14-7 run along with Nembhard to help the Pacers secure Game 1 victory. 

Both teams will clash in Game 2 on Tuesday, May 6 at Rocket Arena.

`Also Read: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference Semi-Finals Schedule – Game 1-7 Date, Venues, Start Time and Where to Watch