In a high-octane NBA clash on January 6, 2026, the Cleveland Cavaliers staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to edge past the Indiana Pacers 120-116 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This hard-fought contest delivered a mix of late-game heroics, record-setting disappointment, and a stark reminder of the fine margins in professional basketball.
Darius Garland was the undisputed star of the night, pouring in 29 points, with a staggering 14 of those coming in the final quarter. His late surge powered a decisive 13-point run that flipped the script for Cleveland, who trailed by nine entering the fourth. The Cavaliers’ victory marked their fourth in five games, a testament to their resilience and depth, especially considering the key absences in their lineup.
The Pacers, defending Eastern Conference champions, found themselves on the wrong end of history as they set a new franchise record with their 13th consecutive loss in the NBA era. Their 6-31 record now stands as the worst in the league, putting them a single defeat away from matching the Washington Wizards’ 14-game losing streak—the longest in the NBA this season. For Indiana, the loss stings not just in the standings but in the record books as well.
Despite the Cavaliers’ win, they weren’t at full strength. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was given a rest day by coach Kenny Atkinson, and sharpshooter Max Strus is expected to be sidelined for at least another month with a left foot injury. Atkinson clarified that the extended timeline for Strus’s recovery wasn’t due to a setback, but the absence was still keenly felt. Matters got worse when forward Dean Wade exited in the first half with a bruised left knee, leaving Cleveland even more shorthanded.
Yet, the Cavaliers’ supporting cast rose to the occasion. Evan Mobley chipped in 20 points, while Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each added 19. Merrill was especially lethal from beyond the arc, knocking down six of his ten three-point attempts, providing the offensive spark Cleveland desperately needed. The team’s dominance in the paint was unmistakable, outscoring Indiana 64-42 inside and holding a commanding 57-43 advantage on the boards.
The Pacers, for their part, showed flashes of the form that took them to the NBA Finals last season. They led by as many as nine points early on and took a 60-53 advantage into halftime. Center Jay Huff delivered a season-high 20 points, including four three-pointers on seven attempts, while All-Star forward Pascal Siakam paced Indiana with 22 points. However, Siakam struggled with efficiency, making just nine of his 23 shots.
Andrew Nembhard played a well-rounded game for Indiana, tallying 15 points and dishing out 11 assists. But the Pacers’ injury woes were impossible to ignore. The team was without center Isaiah Jackson, swingman Bennedict Mathurin, forward Obi Toppin, and All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. The absence of Haliburton, in particular, mirrored the struggles of the 2019-20 Golden State Warriors, who stumbled to a 15-50 record after losing key players to injury and free agency.
Indiana had its opportunities late. With the game tightening in the final seconds, the Pacers had a chance to force overtime but faltered in a tense free-throw contest. As the final buzzer sounded, the Cavaliers’ bench erupted in celebration, while the Pacers’ faithful were left to ponder another narrow defeat and a mounting sense of frustration.
For coach Rick Carlisle, the loss delayed his pursuit of a milestone 1,000th career NBA victory by at least two more days. The Pacers’ current skid marks the fourth time in franchise history they’ve endured a losing streak of at least 12 games, previously suffering similar slumps in 1989, 1985, and 1983. Yet, never before has it stretched to 13, underscoring the extraordinary adversity facing this year’s squad.
The historical context only adds to the Pacers’ woes. At 6-31, Indiana is on pace for its lowest single-season win percentage ever. If current trends hold, they could finish the season with just 13 wins, tying the infamous 1998-99 Chicago Bulls for the fewest victories by a team that reached the NBA Finals the previous year. That Bulls team, like the current Pacers, was beset by injuries and roster upheaval, serving as a cautionary tale for how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA.
Cleveland’s ability to rally despite missing key contributors highlights the team’s depth and adaptability. Coach Atkinson praised his squad’s grit, stating after the game, “This group just finds a way. No matter who’s out, they step up and compete.” Garland’s leadership down the stretch was especially crucial, as he orchestrated the offense and hit clutch shots when it mattered most.
On the other side, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the pain of the streak but remained resolute. “We’re fighting through adversity, and these guys are giving everything they have. We’ll keep working and get back to where we belong,” Carlisle said in his post-game remarks, according to AP NBA.
Looking at the numbers, the Cavaliers’ dominance in rebounding and points in the paint proved decisive. Outscoring Indiana 36-23 in the fourth quarter, Cleveland turned a halftime deficit into a late-game advantage, capitalizing on Indiana’s short-handed rotation and fatigue. Sam Merrill’s three-point shooting kept the floor spaced, while Mobley and Allen controlled the interior on both ends.
For Indiana, the bright spots were few but notable. Jay Huff’s breakout performance and Nembhard’s double-double offered hope for the future, especially with so many regulars sidelined. Still, the inability to close out games and the mounting losses have cast a long shadow over what was expected to be another competitive campaign.
Both teams now look ahead to their next matchups on Thursday, January 8. The Cavaliers will travel to Minnesota, aiming to build on their recent momentum, while the Pacers hit the road for Charlotte, desperate to snap their historic skid and regroup before the season slips further away.
The story of the night, however, remains the Cavaliers’ gritty comeback and the Pacers’ deepening struggles—a snapshot of two franchises headed in starkly different directions as the NBA season rolls on.
