The Indiana Pacers weren’t supposed to be here. Not against the top-seeded Cavaliers. Not on the road. Not again.
But with every high-octane fast break, every clutch three-pointer, and every defensive stand, Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers wrote a different story—a stunning 114-105 win in Game 5 that sent Cleveland packing and Indiana soaring into their second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals.
And this time, it’s not a Cinderella run. It’s a statement.
Haliburton’s Heroics Spark Pacers’ Push
Tyrese Haliburton looked like a man on a mission, torching Cleveland with 31 points and 8 assists. He didn’t just lead Indiana—he dictated the rhythm of the entire game. Alongside Pascal Siakam’s 21 and a collective team effort, the Pacers flipped the script on a Cavaliers team that went 64-18 in the regular season.
“They had the perfect season,” admitted Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle post-game. “We just got hot at the right time.”
It’s the first time since 2005 the Pacers have won three road games in a single playoff series. It’s also the kind of streak that makes fans—and opponents—start to believe this team might be more dangerous than anyone thought.
Mitchell’s Monster Night Not Enough
Donovan Mitchell fought like a warrior—sprained ankle and all. He dropped 39 points in 38 minutes, refusing to go quietly. But as he stared across the court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse after the buzzer, the reality hit hard.
“I didn’t want to believe it. I still don’t,” Mitchell said. “We let the city down.”
Cleveland, who cruised through Miami in the first round, never found the same rhythm against Indiana’s pace and energy. For a team with real championship aspirations, this loss is more than just an upset—it’s an identity crisis.
A Season of Promise Ends in Questions
The Cavaliers had it all: depth, star power, home-court advantage, momentum. What they didn’t have was an answer for Haliburton’s orchestration or Indiana’s relentless pace.
“It just sucks,” said Mitchell, candid as ever. “We’re a good team, but for three games, we didn’t look like it.”
And that’s the cruel beauty of playoff basketball: one off week can erase an entire season’s worth of excellence.
Thunder Rising in the West
While Indiana’s fireworks lit up the East, the West had its own thriller.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led a fearless Oklahoma City comeback to beat the defending champion Denver Nuggets 112-105, giving the Thunder a 3-2 series lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and delivered dagger plays down the stretch. Even Nikola Jokic’s monstrous 44-point, 15-rebound effort couldn’t stop Oklahoma City’s momentum.
“This game wasn’t going our way,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But we stayed true to who we are. That’s how we win—together.”
What’s Next
- Indiana awaits the winner of Boston vs. New York. Can they exorcise last year’s Celtics sweep?
- Cleveland enters an offseason full of hard questions: Is this core enough to contend?
- Oklahoma City now has a shot to dethrone the defending champs in Denver on Thursday.
Final Word: The Underdogs Are Barking
The NBA Playoffs are always full of surprises—but the Pacers’ composure and Cleveland’s collapse might just be the biggest shock of this postseason. While the Cavaliers wrestle with regret, Indiana is riding a wave that feels less like an underdog story and more like destiny.
They didn’t just beat the No. 1 seed—they broke the narrative.
Your daily dose of sports action starts at DanredSports.com—where passion meets reporting!