In a thrilling encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Indiana Pacers pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-119 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Tuesday night. This victory not only gave the Pacers a 2-0 lead in the series but also marked the first time they have won the first two games of a playoff series on the road since 1994.
Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers' star guard, delivered a remarkable performance, scoring a game-high 48 points on 15-of-30 shooting, along with nine assists, five rebounds, four steals, and one block. However, despite his impressive output, the Cavaliers couldn't secure the win, falling victim to a late-game collapse that left fans and players alike in disbelief.
With the Cavaliers missing key players—Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter due to injuries sustained in Game 1, and Darius Garland sidelined for the fourth consecutive game due to a sprained toe—Mitchell took it upon himself to carry the team. The Cavaliers jumped out to a commanding lead, ending the first quarter at 32-17 and even leading by as many as 20 points during the game.
As the game progressed, however, the Pacers began to chip away at the deficit. Tyrese Haliburton, who had been a key player for Indiana, scored 11 of his 19 points in the final 12 minutes. His clutch performance included a defining moment with just 1.1 seconds remaining, when he hit a step-back 3-pointer after rebounding his own missed free throw, sealing the victory for the Pacers.
Haliburton's late-game heroics were reminiscent of his performance in Game 1, where he scored 22 points, including a pivotal go-ahead 3-pointer. "Obviously, we got lucky. Ty hit another amazing shot to win the game," said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. "You don’t see this very often, let alone twice in one week. Tyrese, he came through again. We’re very fortunate.”
The final moments of the game were nothing short of chaotic. With the Pacers trailing 119-114, the Cavaliers were in control until Mitchell committed an offensive foul in the backcourt with 45 seconds left. This critical mistake opened the door for the Pacers to rally. Pascal Siakam scored on a layup to narrow the gap, and then Haliburton got to the free-throw line, splitting his attempts before rebounding his miss and making the game-winning shot.
In a controversial moment, an uncalled lane violation on Aaron Nesmith's putback dunk, which occurred during a missed free throw by Siakam, became a focal point of discussion post-game. Nesmith's dunk was deemed illegal as he entered the arc too early, but the referees could not review the play for a lane violation. This missed call shifted the momentum in favor of the Pacers and ultimately changed the course of the game.
Despite the loss, the Cavaliers showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the first half. Mitchell's scoring prowess kept Cleveland in the game, and he was backed by Jarrett Allen, who contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds. Mitchell's performance, however, was overshadowed by the team's inability to close out the game. "I feel like we outplayed them for the majority of the game and then towards the end we had our mental lapses. They capitalize on every single mistake that we made," Allen lamented.
The Cavaliers now face a daunting task as they head to Indianapolis for Game 3, set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 9, 2025. They need to regroup and find a way to bounce back if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive. With Mobley, Hunter, and Garland still nursing injuries, the team will have to rely heavily on Mitchell and the remaining roster to step up in a must-win situation.
Cleveland's shooting woes also contributed to their downfall, as they finished the game shooting just 11-for-39 (28.2%) from three-point range. This statistic reflects a trend that has plagued them throughout the series, highlighting the need for improvement from beyond the arc if they are to overcome the Pacers.
As the series shifts to Indiana, the pressure mounts for the Cavaliers. They must address their late-game execution issues and find a way to support Mitchell, who has been carrying the scoring load. The Pacers, on the other hand, will look to maintain their momentum and continue their surprising playoff run. With both teams eager to assert dominance, Game 3 promises to be an exciting showdown.
