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

Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 126-104 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, reducing their series deficit to 2-1. The Cavaliers were strengthened by the return of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, who contributed despite early foul issues. Cleveland dominated the boards, outrebounding Indiana 56-37, and used a 3-2 zone defense to disrupt the Pacers. The road team has won each of the first three games in the series, with Game 4 set in Indianapolis on Sunday.

Mitchell’s Masterclass Powers Cleveland

In a must-win scenario, Donovan Mitchell took control from the outset and never let up. The All-Star guard scored 43 points on an efficient shooting night, adding nine rebounds and five assists. He scored 14 points in the fourth quarter alone, ensuring there would be no repeat of the Cavaliers’ Game 2 collapse, when they squandered a late lead.

Mitchell’s offensive outburst included five made three-pointers and a series of clutch plays that halted Indiana’s fourth-quarter rally. With the Pacers cutting the deficit to 11 early in the final period, Mitchell responded with a fadeaway jumper, a pull-up three, and an assist to Max Strus for another triple, effectively sealing the game.

“I couldn’t let it happen again, and it wasn’t just me,” Mitchell said postgame. “We got stops, made plays. But for me, just trying to be the aggressor.”

Garland and Mobley Return, Make Impact

Cleveland’s Game 3 lineup featured the return of three key players: Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter, all of whom missed Game 2 due to injuries. Garland, who had been sidelined since April 23 with a sprained toe, started at point guard and finished with 10 points in 25 minutes. He battled foul trouble early, picking up four fouls in the first half, and committed four turnovers, but his presence helped stabilize the Cavaliers’ backcourt.

Mobley, the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, returned from a sprained ankle and delivered a complete performance. He posted 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks in 33 minutes. Despite being limited by early fouls, Mobley’s interior presence was a major factor in Cleveland’s dominance on the glass and in the paint.

“It’s like bringing Hakeem Olajuwon back to the Houston Rockets,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of Mobley’s return. “He’s a great player, so he’s gonna help their team be considerably better.”

Hunter, who had been dealing with a sprained thumb, added eight points and five rebounds off the bench in 20 minutes.

Cavaliers Dominate the Glass and Control the Tempo

Cleveland’s physicality and rebounding were decisive. The Cavaliers outrebounded the Pacers 56-37, including an 18-4 edge on the offensive boards. That translated into 21 second-chance points in the first half alone, compared to just four for Indiana. The Cavaliers also made 14 three-pointers and used a 3-2 zone defense to disrupt Indiana’s offensive rhythm.

After a 36-36 tie midway through the second quarter, Cleveland went on a 25-4 run to take a 66-45 lead into halftime. The Cavaliers never trailed in the game and led by as many as 24 points.

Max Strus contributed 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Jarrett Allen added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Cleveland’s starting five outplayed Indiana’s, and the Cavaliers’ defensive adjustments stifled the Pacers’ perimeter attack.

Pacers Struggle in Physical Game

Indiana, which had won the first two games of the series, came out flat and never fully recovered. The Pacers shot just 30% from three-point range (9-of-30) and missed 13 straight attempts spanning the first and second quarters. They also committed five technical fouls in what was the most physical game of the series so far.

Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 23 points off the bench, while Pascal Siakam added 18. Tyrese Haliburton, who hit the game-winning three in Game 2, struggled mightily, finishing with just four points on 2-of-8 shooting and five assists. It was his first career home playoff loss in a game he played.

“This was a very poor effort at the beginning of the game, through so many parts of the game,” Carlisle said. “Clearly, I didn’t have these guys ready for this.”

Road Teams Continue to Prevail

With Cleveland’s win in Indianapolis, the road team has now won all three games in the series. The Pacers took Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland, while the Cavaliers responded with a dominant performance on the road in Game 3. Game 4 will also be played in Indianapolis on Sunday night.

The Cavaliers’ Game 3 victory was a much-needed response after two narrow losses to open the series. With Mitchell leading the way and key players returning to the lineup, Cleveland showed the form that earned them a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.

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

Key Updates