Updated April 5, 2026, 8:25 p.m. ET
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers had already clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs, they usually inched nearer towards securing home-court benefit with a 117-108 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, April 5, at Rocket Arena.
On Easter Sunday, the Cavs lowered their magic quantity to seize dwelling court docket within the first spherical of the playoffs to at least one. If the fifth-place Atlanta Hawks had been to lose on Monday, April 6, to the New York Knicks, it might do the trick for Cleveland.
Here’s how Cavs (49-29) versus Pacers (18-60) unfolded via our updates:
Cavs defeat Pacers 117-108
Guard Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with a game-high 38 factors. Mitchell added six rebounds and 6 assists.
Point guard James Harden added 28 factors and 7 assists for the Cavs. Backup middle Thomas Bryant contributed a double-double (14 factors and 10 rebounds) towards his former Pacers staff. Wing Keon Ellis had 13 factors.
Pacers forwards Micah Potter and Obi Toppin scored 21 factors apiece to guide Indiana. Potter grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.
Cavs prolong result in 115-102 with 3:12 left within the fourth quarter as Thomas Bryant offers exclamation level
Cavs middle Thomas Bryant, previously of the Pacers, dunked on Indiana ahead Micah Potter with 3:12 left within the fourth quarter. The spotlight gave Cleveland a 115-102 lead, and Bryant celebrated like a madman.
With 4:12 remaining, Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell delivered the proverbial dagger by draining a 3-pointer to present Cleveland a 111-102 benefit.
James Harden offers Cavs cushion, however Pacers hanging round with 5:21 left within the fourth quarter
Point guard James Harden made two foul photographs after which drained a 3-pointer on Cleveland’s subsequent possession, giving the Cavs a 106-96 lead with 7:17 remaining within the fourth quarter.
The Cavs used a timeout, although, after the Pacers countered and reduce their deficit to 106-100 with 5:21 left. Guard Quenton Jackson made a bounce shot to cut back Cleveland’s benefit to 6 factors.
Cavs lead Pacers 101-96 with 8:52 left within the fourth quarter
Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell was fired up after Cleveland went forward 101-96 with 8:52 left within the fourth quarter.
A goaltending violation on the Pacers as Mitchell tried a layup gave the Cavs the five-point lead. The Pacers resorted to utilizing a timeout.
Forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin made an open nook 3-pointer on an help from guard Craig Porter Jr., giving the Cavs a 99-96 edge with 9:30 remaining.
Indiana Pacers lead Cleveland Cavaliers 91-90 on the finish of the third quarter
The Cavs trailed the Pacers 91-90 on the finish of the third quarter.
Guard Donovan Mitchell made a layup with 2.7 seconds left to trim Cleveland’s deficit to some extent. Mitchell had 26 factors via the primary three quarters, and Cavs level guard James Harden had 21 factors.
Late within the third quarter, Mitchell executed a nasty crossover earlier than making a floater. The transfer induced Pacers ahead Micah Potter to step on the foot of teammate Kobe Brown and fall to the ground. Potter and ahead Obi Toppin had 19 factors apiece coming into the fourth quarter.
Cavs take first lead vs. Pacers with 10:45 left in third quarter
Guard Donovan Mitchell gave the Cavs their first lead of the sport with 10:45 left within the third quarter when he made a nook 3-pointer on an help from small ahead Max Strus.
Mitchell’s 3 gave the Cavs a 61-60 edge.
Cavs’ Max Strus has left wrist taped and begins the second half
Cavs small ahead Max Strus returned to the sport, beginning the second half after leaving within the second quarter with an harm (see more under).
Strus had his left wrist taped upon his return.
Cavs path Pacers 58-55 at halftime
The Cavs trailed the Pacers 58-55 at halftime. The Cavs didn’t lead at any level within the first half.
Pacers guard Quenton Jackson made a bounce shot with 3.5 seconds left to present Indiana a three-point lead after Cavs middle Thomas Bryant reduce Cleveland’s deficit to 56-55 with a putback.
Point guard James Harden led the Cavs with 19 factors within the first half, adopted by guard Donovan Mitchell with 15 factors (plus six rebounds). Bryant had 9 factors.
Forwards Jalen Slawson and Micah Potter scored 14 factors apiece to guide the Pacers. Potter additionally grabbed seven rebounds.
Cavs’ Max Strus seems to harm his left hand or wrist
With 2:20 left within the second quarter, Cavs small ahead Max Strus walked into the tunnel resulting in Cleveland’s locker room with members of the staff’s medical employees.
Strus had been grabbing and flexing his left hand or wrist earlier than he exited the sport. He suffered the harm whereas guarding Pacers ahead Micah Potter close to the correct elbow with about 2:46 remaining within the first half.
Cavs path Pacers 47-39 with 7:11 left within the second quarter
The Pacers led the Cavs 47-35 with 7:56 left within the second quarter, when guard Quenton Jackson made a pair of free throws.
With 7:11 left, level guard James Harden produced a four-point play, draining a 3-pointer after which making the next free throw after ahead Micah Potter (Mentor native) fouled him. Harden’s spotlight reduce Cleveland’s deficit to 47-39.
Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken attends Cavs vs. Pacers
New Browns head coach Todd Monken was launched to the Cleveland crowd between the primary and second quarters of Cavs versus Pacers.
Pacers lead Cavs 32-31 on the finish of the primary quarter
Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell found out the Pacers aren’t going to place up a lot of a combat to forestall him from driving to the basket. He scored 11 factors within the first quarter, and the Cavs trailed 32-31 on the finish of the opening quarter after they’d fallen behind by as many as 10 factors. Mitchell additionally missed a layup on the buzzer.
Forward Jalen Slawson led the Pacers with 9 factors within the first quarter.
The Pacers went 8-of-13 taking pictures on 3-pointers (61.5%) within the opening quarter.
Pacers lead Cavs 23-18 with 5:45 left within the first quarter
After falling behind 20-10, the Cavs determined to repeatedly assault the basket on offense. The Pacers had been content material to present them a freeway to the rim.
Guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden made layups earlier than middle Thomas Bryant dunked and Mitchell did the layup factor once more. The Pacers led 23-18 throughout a timeout with 5:45 left within the first quarter.
Cavs path Pacers 20-10 with 7:24 left within the first quarter
Please do not freak out when you’ve heard this earlier than: The Cavs aren’t going to win any significant video games if they do not defend. Well, they won’t win this recreation, both, except they defend higher than they did early within the first quarter.
With 7:24 left within the opening quarter, the Cavs trailed the Pacers 20-10. The Pacers began the sport 6-of-8 taking pictures on 3-pointers.
Below is a few pregame info.
Cleveland Cavaliers harm report vs. Indiana Pacers
The Cavs dominated out the next gamers: middle Jarrett Allen (proper knee harm administration), guard Sam Merrill (left hamstring harm administration), ahead Evan Mobley (left calf harm administration), wing Jaylon Tyson (left large toe bone bruise) and ahead Dean Wade (proper ankle sprain).
Pacers harm report vs. Cleveland Cavs
The Pacers have dominated out the next gamers: guard Johnny Furphy (proper ACL tear), guard Tyrese Haliburton (proper Achilles tendon tear), guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring harm administration), guard-forward Andrew Nembhard (again harm administration), guard-forward Aaron Nesmith (cervical pressure), ahead Pascal Siakam (left ankle sprain) and middle Ivica Zubac (rib fracture).
The Pacers initially listed guard Ben Sheppard (proper hip sprain) and ahead Jarace Walker (sacral contusion) as questionable to play, however they later dominated out each gamers.
Cavs vs. Indiana Pacers historical past
Of course, the Pacers ended the Cavs’ 2024-25 season with a 4-1 victory within the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals practically a 12 months in the past. The Pacers went all the way in which to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, when Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon and the Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed to win the championship.
This season, the Cavs have gained their first three video games towards the Pacers. With a win on Easter, the Cavs would earn their first four-game regular-season season sweep towards the Pacers since 2021-22.
The Cavs are 107-111 of their all-time regular-season collection towards the Pacers.
Cavs starters vs. Pacers
Here are the gamers the Cavs will begin towards the Pacers:
- Point guard James Harden
- Guard Donovan Mitchell
- Wing Keon Ellis
- Forward Max Strus
- Center Thomas Bryant
How can I watch Cavs vs. Pacers at present? Cleveland Cavaliers‘ radio, streaming, broadcast info
The April 5 recreation between the Cavs and Pacers will probably be televised regionally by FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The native radio broadcast might be heard through WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Nate Ulrich is the sports activities columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports activities options author. Nate might be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
