Donovan Mitchell made sure the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t collapse late this time.
Facing a raucous Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd and the threat of falling into a nearly insurmountable 3-0 series hole, Mitchell rose to the moment with a dominant 43-point performance to lift the Cavaliers to a 126-104 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the victory, Cleveland cut the Pacers’ series lead to 2-1.
Mitchell not only delivered offensively, but did so at the most crucial moment — just as Indiana had clawed back to within 11 points early in the fourth quarter.
“I couldn't let it happen again,” Mitchell said after the win. “And it wasn't just me. We got stops, made plays. But for me, just trying to be the aggressor.”
Cavaliers Punch Back Behind Mitchell’s Heroics
After squandering late leads earlier in the series, Cleveland leaned on its All-Star guard to close the door in Game 3. In a backbreaking fourth-quarter sequence, Mitchell hit a tough 13-foot fadeaway, followed by a pull-up three-pointer. Moments later, he dished to Max Strus for another triple that put the game away for good.
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson applauded Mitchell’s instincts and leadership.
“The first one was a selfish shot, but he needed to be selfish there,” Atkinson said. “He just felt like, ‘I need to score this one, even if it’s not the perfect shot.’ And that’s the feel of the moment.”
Mitchell’s final line:
43 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 15-of-26 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Reinforcements Arrive for Cleveland
Cleveland had more than just Mitchell’s brilliance on its side. The Cavaliers welcomed back multiple key players:
- Evan Mobley, the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, returned after missing Game 2.
- De’Andre Hunter also suited up after recovering from injury.
- Darius Garland, out for the last four games with a toe injury, made his return and helped steady the offense.
With a more complete rotation, the Cavaliers returned to their regular-season identity — crashing the boards, moving the ball, and defending with physicality. They out-rebounded Indiana 56-37, hit 14 three-pointers, and held the Pacers to just 45 points in the first half.
Max Strus Shines in Support Role
Strus was instrumental in helping Cleveland maintain its edge. The versatile wing finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, while knocking down four threes. His ability to stretch the floor and find open teammates helped neutralize Indiana’s typically explosive offense.
Pacers Flat from the Start
Indiana never led in Game 3, struggling from the outset both defensively and emotionally. The Pacers gave
up a 25-4 run in the second quarter that turned a tied game into a 21-point halftime deficit.
- Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 23 points.
- Pascal Siakam added 18.
- Tyrese Haliburton had one of his quietest games of the postseason, scoring just 4 points with 5 assists.
It marked the first career postseason home loss for Haliburton in a game he played.
Head coach Rick Carlisle didn’t mince words postgame:
“This was a very poor effort at the beginning of the game, through so many parts of the game,” he said. “Clearly, I didn’t have these guys ready. Ty had a rough game. I have to do more to get him in better positions to have better shots.”
Game 4 Preview: Cavaliers Look to Even the Series
The Cavaliers showed championship-level resilience in Game 3, and now have a chance to even the series when Game 4 tips off on Sunday, May 11 back in Indianapolis.
The road team has won every game so far in this series — a trend Cleveland hopes to break in their favor moving forward.
