Entering what is essentially a must-win game for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team is facing off against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday night, May 9, 2025. The Cavaliers find themselves in a precarious position, already down 0-2 in the series. However, there’s a silver lining as three key players who missed the last game are set to return: Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter.
Garland, who has been battling a sprained left big toe since the Cavaliers' playoff series against the Miami Heat, is expected to make a significant impact. He hasn’t played since the Pacers’ Game 2 win over the Heat on April 23. His return is crucial for the Cavaliers' offense, as he averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game this season while shooting 40.1% from beyond the arc. His ability to create shots and handle the ball will alleviate some of the pressure off Donovan Mitchell, who scored an impressive 48 points in Game 2 but struggled in the fourth quarter.
Mobley, the Cavaliers' star big man, also returns after spraining his left ankle during Game 1 against the Pacers. His absence was felt in Game 2, where the Pacers capitalized, shooting 51.8% from the field and scoring 50 points in the paint. Mobley’s defensive presence and rebounding skills are vital for Cleveland as they look to turn the series around.
De’Andre Hunter, who plays a slightly smaller role than Garland and Mobley, is nonetheless an integral part of the Cavaliers' game plan. He suffered a sprained right thumb during Game 1 after crashing to the floor, but he is back in action. Hunter has averaged 17.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game this season, and his scoring ability will be essential for Cleveland as they seek to bounce back.
The Cavaliers' starting five—Garland, Mobley, Hunter, Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen—was the most-used lineup during the regular season, boasting a dominant +12.5 net rating. However, they have played just 23 minutes together across six playoff games due to injuries, which has resulted in a -5.1 net rating in those limited minutes. With the trio returning, the Cavaliers are hoping to regain their rhythm and chemistry on the court.
In Game 2, the Cavaliers held a commanding 20-point lead at one point, but as the game progressed, fatigue set in. Mitchell, who had been carrying the scoring load, was 2-of-6 in the fourth quarter as Indiana mounted a comeback to secure the win. The game ended in controversy, with the NBA's "Last 2-Minute Report" revealing three incorrect no-calls in the final minute. Despite this, head coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized the need for his team to focus on their performance rather than the officiating. "I think we always have recency bias. So what happened in the last 30 seconds? It’s like, how’d you lose that 20-point lead?" Atkinson stated after practice on Thursday. "I’d say it was coaching decisions, player decisions, and then referee decisions. We all made mistakes. And then if you put it kind of a ledger, you add all those up and that their minus-20 goes to, oh my gosh. We had plenty of decisions where we could have made it. I’m kind of there with that."
As the Cavaliers gear up for Game 3, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN. Cleveland fans are hopeful that the return of Garland, Mobley, and Hunter will spark a much-needed turnaround for the team. The stakes are high, as the winner of this series will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Cavaliers are eager to avoid falling deeper into the playoff abyss.
The Pacers, on the other hand, will look to maintain their momentum and secure a commanding 3-0 series lead. They have demonstrated their ability to exploit the Cavaliers' weaknesses, particularly in the paint, and will aim to capitalize on any lapses in Cleveland's defense. The upcoming matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, filled with intensity and high stakes, as both teams vie for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
With the return of their key players, the Cavaliers are hoping to regain their competitive edge and fight back against the Pacers. The pressure is on, and the time for action is now. Will Cleveland rise to the occasion and even the series, or will Indiana continue their dominance? Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the drama unfolds on the court tonight.
