Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) in the second half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 11, 2025.
The Indiana Pacers delivered a statement performance Sunday night, crushing the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109. They now lead the Eastern Conference semifinals 3-1. Indiana set the tone early, storming to a 41-point halftime lead - tying an NBA playoff record.
Blazing First Half Leaves Cavaliers Stunned
The Pacers exploded out of the gate with relentless energy. Early scoring runs of 11-2 and 13-0 quickly pushed them ahead. By the 9:24 mark in the second quarter, Indiana had built a 48-23 lead. They didn’t stop there. The Pacers finished the half on a 19-2 run, heading into the locker room up 80-39.
That 41-point lead at halftime matched a playoff record first set by Cleveland in 2017. Indiana became just the 10th team in NBA history — and second this week — to score 80 points in a playoff first half. Oklahoma City previously dropped 87 against Denver in Game 2.
Siakam Shines, Pacers Overcome Early Ejection
Pascal Siakam led the scoring charge with 21 points. Myles Turner and Obi Toppin added 20 each, with Turner hitting all four of his shots from deep. The Pacers showcased depth and composure, even after losing key scorer Bennedict Mathurin early in the game. Mathurin was ejected just 7.5 minutes in for a flagrant foul.
Despite that setback, Indiana stayed locked in, giving the home crowd the perfect response to Friday’s 22-point loss on the same court.
Cleveland Struggles Without Mitchell
Cleveland’s star guard Donovan Mitchell exited at halftime due to a left ankle injury. He finished with just 17 points. Head coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed Mitchell will undergo an MRI on Monday. Darius Garland led the Cavs with 21 points but couldn’t stop the bleeding.
The Cavaliers were outmatched from start to finish. They had controlled the boards and stifled Tyrese Haliburton in Game 3. But this time, Indiana flipped the script. The Pacers were faster, sharper, and more aggressive on both ends.
Pacers Eye Another Eastern Finals Trip
With this dominant win, Indiana moves one game away from back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances. They’ll try to close out the series Tuesday in Cleveland — a place where they’ve already stolen two games.
If Sunday’s blowout is any indication, the Pacers are peaking at just the right time. Their mix of scoring balance, bench strength, and defensive intensity has overwhelmed the East’s top-seeded team.
Final Thoughts
Indiana’s historic first-half outburst, led by Pascal Siakam and supported by a deep roster, puts the Cavaliers on the brink of elimination. With momentum on their side and confidence soaring, the Pacers look poised to make another deep postseason run. Can Cleveland recover, or is Indiana’s firepower simply too much?
Will the Pacers punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night? Basketball fans won’t want to miss it.
