The Indiana Pacers entered Tuesday night’s clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers with the weight of history pressing down on their shoulders. Lose again, and they’d tumble into the franchise record books for all the wrong reasons. For three quarters at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, it looked like Indiana would finally find a way to snap its month-long losing skid. But the Cavaliers, short-handed and determined, had other plans—ultimately rallying to hand the Pacers their 13th consecutive loss, 120-116, a new low in the annals of Pacers basketball.
Heading into the matchup, the Pacers’ situation was dire. They were on a 12-game losing streak, teetering on the edge of setting a franchise record. Their 6-30 record had already dashed preseason hopes, and the absence of key players only made matters worse. Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Isaiah Jackson (concussion), Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), and Obi Toppin (foot) were all ruled out. Mathurin’s indefinite absence, in particular, loomed large—not just for his on-court contributions, but also because he’s been floated as a realistic trade candidate. The Pacers’ depth was tested to its limits, and fans wondered if this depleted squad could finally turn things around.
The Cavaliers weren’t without their own challenges. Donovan Mitchell, the team’s leading scorer and playmaker (averaging 29.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on stellar shooting splits), was ruled out for rest. Jarrett Allen, who’d missed the previous game due to illness, returned to the lineup, while Larry Nance Jr. (calf) and Max Strus (foot) remained sidelined. Dean Wade and Jaylon Tyson, both recently on the injury report, were cleared to play. Despite missing their star, Cleveland entered the contest with a respectable 20-17 record, having won three of their last four games. Oddsmakers favored the Cavaliers by 6.5 points, but with Mitchell out, the contest promised to be closer than the betting lines suggested.
From the opening tip, Indiana showed urgency and cohesion that had been missing during their recent slide. The Pacers took a six-point lead into the second quarter—a welcome change given their notorious struggles in that period throughout the season. According to local coverage, "Indiana took a six-point lead into the second quarter, and through some ups and downs—including the Cavs taking the lead at one point—the Pacers escaped to halftime with a seven-point lead." Jay Huff, returning to the starting lineup after a brief stint on the bench, was a revelation. He poured in 10 points in the second quarter alone, shooting 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. By night’s end, Huff had tallied 20 points, keeping Indiana afloat when the offense threatened to sputter.
For Pacers fans, the hope was palpable. The team methodically built a nine-point cushion heading into the final quarter, bucking the trend of disastrous second halves that had plagued them all season. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm without Mitchell, relying heavily on Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Garland, picking up the slack, delivered a stellar 29-point performance, while Mobley added 20 points of his own. The Pacers’ defense, which has been porous all season—especially on the boards, where they surrender an NBA-worst 55.7 rebounds per game—managed to hold the fort, at least temporarily.
But as the fourth quarter unfolded, the tide began to turn. Cleveland chipped away at Indiana’s lead, possession by possession. By the five-minute mark, the Cavaliers had seized the advantage. "That lead went from one point, to three, to five, then to seven. And Indiana’s hopes to find a win washed away," wrote Dustin Dopirak for IndyStarTV. The Pacers, so close to snapping their skid, saw it slip through their fingers in the game’s waning moments.
It was a crushing defeat, not just because of the record it set, but because of how tantalizingly close the Pacers came to victory. The loss marked their 13th in a row, surpassing previous 12-game losing streaks from 1983, 1985, 1989, and 2022. Head coach Rick Carlisle, stuck on 999 career wins since December 9, will have to wait even longer to reach the 1,000-win milestone—a feat that’s eluded him for nearly a month.
Beyond the numbers, the game highlighted some key individual performances and ongoing storylines. Jay Huff’s return to the starting five was a bright spot, his 20 points providing a much-needed offensive spark. Aaron Nesmith contributed solidly in the first half, and Andrew Nembhard, stepping up in the absence of Haliburton and Mathurin, continued to develop as a scorer and distributor. Nembhard, who averaged 17.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists over 28 games this season, has proven capable of carrying a heavier offensive load—scoring at least 20 points in five of six games without Mathurin and notching a combined 53 points in two previous meetings with Cleveland.
For Cleveland, the win was a testament to their depth and resilience. With Mitchell out, Garland and Mobley rose to the occasion, while Jarrett Allen’s return from illness helped stabilize the frontcourt. Mobley, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, continued his strong play on the glass, adding to his season averages of 17.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. The Cavaliers’ ability to rally in the fourth quarter, even on the road and without their star, underscores why they remain a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Looking ahead, both squads face pressing questions. For Indiana, the focus shifts to halting the historic skid and evaluating the roster ahead of the trade deadline—especially with Mathurin’s future in flux. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, will monitor the health of their key players, particularly Mitchell, Nance Jr., and Strus, as they seek to build momentum in a competitive Central Division.
Tuesday night’s contest was a microcosm of each team’s season so far: the Pacers, battered by injuries and misfortune, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory; the Cavaliers, overcoming adversity with timely performances from their remaining stars. As the final buzzer sounded, Indiana’s search for answers continued, while Cleveland celebrated a hard-fought win that could prove pivotal down the stretch.
For the Pacers, the only way forward is to regroup, heal, and keep fighting. For the Cavaliers, the comeback victory serves as a reminder that even without their marquee man, they’re more than capable of rising to the occasion when it matters most.
