Cleveland Cavaliers Dominate Indiana Pacers 126-104 in Game 3 After Haliburton's Game 2 Buzzer-Beater

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers 126-104 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, cutting the series deficit to 2-1. This victory followed a narrow 120-119 loss in Game 2, where Tyrese Haliburton's buzzer-beater secured the win for Indiana. Cleveland's full-strength lineup, including returning players Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, contributed to the win. Donovan Mitchell led with 43 points. The Cavaliers' strong defense limited Haliburton to four points. Game 4 is scheduled for May 11 in Indianapolis.

Cavaliers Regain Momentum with Reinforcements

The Cavaliers entered Game 3 facing a must-win scenario after dropping the first two games at home. Game 2 was particularly painful, as Haliburton’s last-second triple capped a furious Pacers comeback and handed Cleveland a one-point loss. That game saw the Cavaliers without three key players: All-Star point guard Darius Garland (toe), Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley (ankle), and forward De’Andre Hunter (thumb), all of whom were sidelined due to injuries.

On Friday, however, the Cavaliers were finally at full strength. Garland and Mobley returned to the starting lineup, while Hunter was available off the bench. Their presence was immediately felt as Cleveland opened the game on an 11-0 run and never trailed.

Mitchell Leads the Charge

Donovan Mitchell once again led the Cavaliers with a commanding performance, scoring 43 points on 14-of-29 shooting, along with nine rebounds and five assists. It was his second consecutive 40-point game in the series, following a 48-point effort in the Game 2 loss. With Garland back to help facilitate the offense and Mobley anchoring the defense, Mitchell was able to operate with more freedom and efficiency.

Cleveland’s offense was firing on all cylinders, hitting 14 three-pointers and dominating the glass with a 56-37 rebounding advantage, including 18 offensive boards. Max Strus and Jarrett Allen each added 13 points in the first half, helping the Cavaliers build a 66-45 halftime lead after a 34-13 second-quarter surge.

Pacers Struggle to Keep Pace

Indiana, which had thrived on energy and execution in the first two games, looked outmatched for much of Game 3. The Pacers tied the game at 32-32 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a late three-pointer by Ben Sheppard, but they were outscored 34-13 in the second quarter and never recovered.

Tyrese Haliburton, the hero of Game 2, was held in check throughout the night. He finished with just four points on 2-of-8 shooting, along with five assists and three turnovers. The Cavaliers’ zone defense stifled Indiana’s perimeter attack, and the Pacers missed 13 consecutive three-point attempts after Sheppard’s first-quarter buzzer-beater.

Myles Turner led Indiana with 12 points in the first half and briefly left the game in the third quarter with an ankle issue but returned after having it retaped. Bennedict Mathurin provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, but the Pacers’ starting unit struggled, combining for just 11-of-32 shooting outside of Turner and Mathurin.

Physicality and Frustration

As the game slipped away, tempers flared. The Pacers were assessed five technical fouls, including one for a delay of game. Cleveland’s physicality and rebounding dominance clearly frustrated Indiana, which had previously controlled the tempo in Games 1 and 2.

The Cavaliers’ 25-4 run in the second quarter broke the game open, and they led by as many as 24 points in the third. Indiana showed brief signs of life with an 11-2 run in the third quarter, but Cleveland quickly regained control.

Series Outlook

Despite the loss, the Pacers still lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. The road team has won each of the first three games, and Indiana will look to reverse that trend in Game 4, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 11, at 8 p.m. ET in Indianapolis.

Game 1 saw the Pacers win 121-112 behind balanced scoring and strong bench play. Game 2 was a thriller, with Haliburton’s buzzer-beater capping a 120-119 win. But Game 3 belonged entirely to Cleveland, who looked every bit the top seed in the East with their full roster intact.

The Cavaliers’ Game 3 performance was a reminder of their regular-season dominance, as they finished with 64 wins and the conference’s best record. With Garland, Mobley, and Hunter back in the fold, Cleveland has reasserted itself in the series.

Injury Updates

Darius Garland (toe), Evan Mobley (ankle), and De’Andre Hunter (thumb) all returned for Game 3 after missing Game 2. Garland and Mobley started, while Hunter came off the bench.
For Indiana, Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) remained out. Myles Turner briefly exited Game 3 with an ankle issue but returned after treatment.

Game 3 Starting Lineups

Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner
Cavaliers: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Series Schedule

Game 1 (May 4): Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112
Game 2 (May 6): Pacers 120, Cavaliers 119
Game 3 (May 9): Cavaliers 126, Pacers 104
Game 4 (May 11): at Indiana, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
*Game 5 (May 13): at Cleveland, TBA
*Game 6 (May 15): at Indiana, TBA
*Game 7 (May 18): at Cleveland, TBA

Cleveland Cavaliers Dominate Indiana Pacers 126-104 in Game 3 After Haliburton's Game 2 Buzzer-Beater

Key Updates

Donovan Mitchell Scores 43 Points as Cavaliers Beat Pacers 126-104 in Game 3 of Eastern Conference Semifinals