Cleveland Cavs score in NBA playoffs | Donovan Mitchell leads Cavaliers to Game 3 win

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Cleveland Cavs score in NBA playoffs | Donovan Mitchell leads Cavaliers to Game 3 win

Nate Ulrich and Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Fri, May 9, 2025 ·

15 min read

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INDIANAPOLIS — The Cavaliers faced what is as close to a true must-win scenario as an NBA playoff team can encounter without being in an elimination game. And the Cavs responded with a dominant 126-104 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday, May 9, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The banged-up Cavs now trail the Pacers 2-1 in the best-of-seven, second-round playoff series after prevailing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Game 3 was vital for Cleveland , especially because no team in NBA playoff history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the series.

Game 4 is set for 8 p.m. Sunday, May 11, in Indianapolis, and the series is now guaranteed to return to Cleveland for Game 5 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13.

Here is how the top-seeded Cavs versus the fourth-seeded Pacers unfolded through our updates :

Cavaliers win 126-104 after Donovan Mitchell asserts his will in the fourth quarter of Game 3 vs. Pacers

With All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell leading the way, the Cavs took control in the fourth quarter. Mitchell split two free throws to give the Cavs a 123-98 lead with 3:44 left to play.

Mitchell had 14 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter and checked out of the game with 3:09 left. He added nine rebounds and five assists. He went 14-of-29 shooting from the field, including 5 of 13 on 3-pointers.

Small forward Max Strus compiled 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Cavs. Center Jarrett Allen (19 points and 12 rebounds) and forward Evan Mobley (18 points and 13 rebounds) each posted a double-double. Point guard Darius Garland added 10 points, meaning all five Cavs starters reached double figures in scoring.

Guard-forward Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 23 points off the bench. Forward Pascal Siakam and center Myles Turner scored 18 and 15 points, respectively.

Strus played a significant role in limiting Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton to four points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field on the heels of Haliburton making the game-winning 3-pointer in Game 2.

The Cavs outrebounded the Pacers 56-37 and outscored them in second-chance points 31-9.

The Cavs went 42-of-100 shooting from the field, including 14 of 47 on 3-pointers (29.8%). The Pacers finished 35-of-80 shooting from the floor (43.8%), including 9 of 30 on 3-pointers (30%).

Cavs go on 8-2 to run and lead Pacers 112-95 with 6:57 left in the fourth quarter

After the Pacers rallied to cut the Cavs' lead to 104-93 during a Cleveland timeout with 8:22 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers countered with an 8-2 run and led 112-95 during an Indiana timeout with 6:57 left.

All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs charge with a turnaround jump shot, a step-back 3-pointer and an assist to small forward Max Strus on a 3-pointer. The Strus shot with 6:59 remaining sent Indiana into a timeout.

At this stage of Game 3, Mitchell had 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Darius Garland returns for the start of the fourth quarter. Cavs lead 104-93 with amid a Pacers rally with 8:22 left

All-Star point guard Darius Garland returned to the action and scored Cleveland's first five points of the fourth quarter.

Garland had an apparent aggravation of his sprained left big toe roughly midway through the third quarter. He checked out of the game with 5:18 remaining in the third quarter. He was idle for the rest of the third quarter but started the fourth.

However, the Pacers outscored the Cavs 14-7 to begin the fourth quarter, cutting Cleveland's lead from 18 points at the start of the quarter to 11 points with 8:22 remaining.

All-Star forward Pascal Siakam made a 3-pointer to trim the Pacers' deficit to 104-93 with 8:26 left. The Cavs used a timeout with 8:22 remaining.

May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Cavaliers lead Pacers by 18 entering fourth quarter

The home crowd at Indy is not happy with this officiating crew, and the Cavs will enter the fourth quarter holding a 97-79 lead.

Donovan Mitchell made a terrific play to corral a loose ball after it was tipped away, race down the baseline and add a layup with 11 seconds left.

Mitchell has 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists in what has been another tremendous playoff performance. Max Strus has also given the Cavs a strong night with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Evan Mobley is up to 16 points and nine rebounds. Garland, who not only appeared to injure his foot or ankle but also has four fouls, has not checked back into the game.

Pacers rack up 2 technical fouls; Cavs maintaining 20-point lead in Game 3

The Pacers have grown frustrated with several foul calls (or non-calls) tonight, which has led to two technical fouls, one on a delay (mostly coach Rick Carlisle) and then another on Thomas Bryant following a call in which he wrapped up Jarrett Allen while battling for a rebound.

Sam Merill missed the first technical free throw, but Donovan Mitchell made the second.

With 2:22 left in the third quarter, the Cavs are leading 89-69.

May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) dribbles the ball during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Darius Garland injury; All-Star guard dealing with apparent issue

All-Star guard Darius Garland, playing tonight for the first time since Game 2 of the opening-round series against the Miami Heat , has gone down after driving to the basket with 5:18 left in the third quarter of Game 3 in Indiana.

Garland immediately reached for his right foot or ankle and remained down for a moment. The Cavs quickly called a timeout. Garland looked frustrated and looked as though he was trying to walk it off.

The Cavs lead 80-62. Garland is checking out of the game.

Cavs controlling rebound battle, lead Pacers by 22 in third quarter of Game 3

The Cavs are dominating the rebounding battle, and those extra possessions are destroying any comeback chances for the Pacers, as Cleveland now holds a 73-51 lead with 8:05 left in the third quarter.

The Cavs have talked so much about playing with "force," which has been the difference tonight on the boards. The Cavs are out-rebounding the Pacers 39-21, including 14 offensive rebounds for the Cavaliers compared to only two for Indiana, which has led to a 23-4 second-chance point discrepancy.

May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates a made basket during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Cavs lead Pacers 66-45 at halftime

The Cavs ended the second quarter with a strong sequence and led the Pacers 66-45 at halftime.

With 48.5 seconds left in the first half, guard Sam Merrill drained a 3-pointer to give the Cavs a 21-point lead. Small forward Max Strus registered an assist on the play after center Jarrett Allen and forward Evan Mobley each collected an offensive rebound to keep the possession alive.

Then with 1 second left, Strus blocked a jump shot by Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who hit the game-winning 3-pointer earlier this week to end Game 2.

All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs in the first half with 17 points, followed by Strus and Allen with 13 points apiece and Mobley with 10 points and nine rebounds. The Cavs outrebounded the Pacers 35-17 in the first half and outscored them 21-4 in second-chance points and 34-18 in points in the paint.

Guard-forward Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 13 points, followed by center Myles Turner with 12 points.

The Cavs went 25-of-56 shooting from the field (44.6%), including 8 of 22 on 3-pointers (36.4%), in the first half. The Pacers went 14-of-42 shooting from the floor (33.3%), including 5 of 18 on 3s (27.8%).

May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) )defends during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland picks up fourth foul in puzzling fashion

Cavs All-Star point guard Darius Garland is apparently feeling too feisty for his own good.

During an inbounds play with 4:43 left in the second quarter, Garland shoved Pacers guard-forward Bennedict Mathurin in the chest with two hands in an attempt to create separation and create a passing late.

The glaring problem, though, is Garland had three fouls in the first quarter, and he picked up his fourth by pushing Mathurin.

Cavaliers hold 48-38 advantage against Pacers with 6:08 left in the second quarter

Three fouls in the first quarter aside, All-Star point guard Darius Garland looks good in his first game back from a sprained left big toe. He's moving well and displayed his shiftiness on a driving layup with 6:39 left in the second quarter.

Center Jarrett Allen followed with a push shot on an assist from Evan Mobley, giving the Cavs a 48-38 lead with 6:08 remaining in the first half and prompting a Pacers timeout.

Cleveland Cavs lead Indiana Pacers 41-36 with 9:06 left in the second quarter of Game 3

The Cavs led the Pacers 41-36 during an Indiana timeout with 9:06 left in the second quarter.

The Pacers threatened to take their first lead of the game with 11:05 left in the second quarter, when a replay review determined All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell had committed a clear-path foul on Pacers guard-forward Bennedict Mathurin. The ruling meant the Pacers would receiver two free throw and possession of the ball. Mathurin made both foul shots to tie the score 34-34, but the Pacers didn't score on the ensuing possession.

The Cavs then created a bit of separation, with small forward Max Strus draining a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a 41-36 edge with 9:32 left before halftime.

May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) defends during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Cavaliers, Pacers tied after 1st quarter of Game 3

The Pacers took the Cavs' initial punch and went on a 22-7 run to end the first quarter, finishing with a Ben Sheppard 3 with one second left in the quarter to tie it 32-32.

In one quarter of basketball, the Cavs built and then lost a 15-point lead.

The Pacers hit five of their seven 3-pointers, including the last trey from Sheppard that just about blew off the roof of the building.

For the Cavs, Evan Mobley and Max Strus both totaled eight points in the first quarter. Darius Garland was moving around well, but his three fouls are also now a factor.

May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) holds the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Darius Garland commits third foul in first quarter of Game 3

T.J. McConnell was again able to drive to the rim, and that led to Darius Garland committing his third foul of the night with 1:47 left in the third quarter. Garland will have to check out of the game, as Kenny Atkinson has to be careful with his foul situation for at least the rest of the half.

Cavs, Pacers Game 3 score: Indiana's 10-0 run closes the gap in first quarter of Game 3

The Pacers have gone on a 10-0 run and closed the gap to 30-22 with 2:58 left in the first quarter.

Bennedict Mathurin hit two 3s during the run, and T.J. McConnell connected with Myles Turner on a lay-up alley-oop, giving Turner 12 points tonight.

May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) celebrates a made basket during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Cavs lead by double-digits in first quarter over Pacers in Game 3

The Cavs are taking it to the Pacers in Indianapolis and have built a 19-8 lead. Myles Turner has all eight points for the Pacers.

Max Strus has eight points, while Donovan Mitchell has six, including a 3-pointer on his only attempt, which has been his only flaw in this series.

Cavaliers open Game 3 on 11-0 run vs Pacers; Max Strus has 8 points

Max Strus drove to the paint and had a layup fall, Evan Mobley blocked Tyrese Haliburton near the rim and Max Strus nailed a 3 from the corner, and the Cavs have opened Game 3 on an 11-0 run, with eight of those points coming from Strus.

May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) passes the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) defends during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Cavs, Pacers Game 3 score: Darius Garland, Evan Mobley start

The Cavaliers are off to a 6-0 start in Game 3, but perhaps the better news is that All-Stars Darius Garland and Evan Mobley were both in the starting lineup, and both appear to be moving around well so far.

Garland, Mobley and De'Andre Hunter not only returning, but being able to be at least close to 100 percent, remains a vital storyline for Game 3 and beyond.

The Pacers are regrouping with a full timeout after the Cavs' 6-0 start.

Below is some pregame information.

Cavs injury update

Less than a half hour before a scheduled tipoff tonight, the Cavs announced All-Star point guard Darius Garland (sprained left big toe), All-Star forward Evan Mobley (sprained left ankle) and wing De'Andre Hunter (sprained right shooting thumb) are available to play in Game 3 of their best-of-seven, second-round series against the Indiana Pacers . The top-seeded Cavs trail the fourth-seeded Pacers 2-0.

Cavs starting lineup tonight

For Game 3, the Cavs will have their usual starting lineup: Garland, Mobley, All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, center Jarrett Allen and small forward Max Strus.

Did Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter participate in Cavs shootaround today?

Mobley, Garland and Hunter participated in shootaround on the morning of Friday, May 9, in Indianapolis. They can be seen shooting at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the following video posted on social media by Cleveland Cavaliers on SI reporter Spencer Davies , formerly of the Beacon Journal:

Cavs injury report today

The Cavs listed All-Star forward Evan Mobley (sprained left ankle), All-Star point guard Darius Garland (sprained left big toe) and wing De'Andre Hunter (sprained right shooting thumb) as questionable for Game 3.

Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell has been playing through a calf strain. However, the Cavs have yet to list Mitchell on their injury report.

What Kenny Atkinson said about injuries: Will the Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, De'Andre Hunter and Donovan Mitchell play in Game 3?

Pacers injury report today

The Pacers ruled out forward Isaiah Jackson (right Achilles tendon tear).

How to watch Cavs game tonight: TV channel, streaming, radio info for Game 3 vs. Pacers

Game 3 can be watched nationally on ESPN. It can be heard on the radio via WMMS (100.7-FM) and WTAM (1100).

'Overrated' chants backfire: Undermanned Cavs provide Game 2 hope, only to have it dashed by Tyrese Haliburton

May 6, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) defends Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) in the fourth quarter during game two of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Pacers vs. Cavs last game

The Cavs led in Game 2 by as many as 20 points, and they were ahead by seven points when All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell made two free throws with 57.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

However, the Cavs blew those advantages along with a 48-point outing by Mitchell.

With 27.5 seconds remaining, Cavs small forward Max Strus' inbounds pass was stolen by Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard .

Then Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton split two free throws with 12.4 seconds left after drawing a foul against Cavs guard Ty Jerome .

After Haliburton missed the second foul shot, he rebounded it off a deflection and proceeded to drain a step-back, game-winning 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left, lifting the Pacers to a 120-119 victory.

What is the playoff history between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers?

In the playoffs, the Cavs are 9-8 against the Pacers. The record includes Cleveland's losses in Game 1 and Game 2 this year.

Here is a breakdown of the previous three series the two teams have shared:

2018: LeBron James and the Cavs got past the Pacers in the first round, but it took seven games. The Cavs ultimately were swept 4-0 by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
2017: Coming off Cleveland's 2016 NBA title and led by James, the Cavs swept the Pacers 4-0 in the first round. The Cavs eventually lost 4-1 to the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
1998: The Cavs fell 3-1 to the Pacers in Round 1. The Pacers were eventually eliminated by the Chicago Bulls in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan and the Bulls then beat the Utah Jazz 4-2 in the NBA Finals.

Cavs playoff schedule: Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Pacers

Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavs 112 | Recap | Column | Story
Game 2: Pacers 120, Cavs 119 | Recap | Column | Story
Game 3: Cavs 126, Pacers 104
Game 4: Cavs at Pacers — 8 p.m. Sunday, May 11, TNT
Game 5: Pacers at Cavs — 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, TNT
Game 6: Cavs at Pacers — time TBD, Thursday, May 15 (if necessary), ESPN
Game 7: Pacers at Cavs — time TBD, Sunday, May 18 (if necessary), TV TBD

NBA playoff bracket: Eastern Conference first round

No. 1 seed Cavaliers vs. No. 8 seed Miami Heat (Cleveland won series 4-0)
No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 seed Orlando Magic (Boston won series 4-1)
No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Detroit Pistons (New York won series 4-2)
No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 seed Milwaukee Bucks (Indiana won series 4-1)

NBA playoff bracket: Eastern Conference second round

No. 1 seed Cavaliers vs. No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers (Cleveland trails series 2-1)
No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 seed New York Knicks (New York lead series 2-0)

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs score vs Pacers, Game 3 recap, highlights in NBA playoffs

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