The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the Eastern Conference semifinals as firm favorites to win their series against the Indiana Pacers. But after a 121-112 loss at home in Game 1 and with injuries clouding the status of three key players, Cleveland’s path forward suddenly looks more complicated.
Indiana stunned the Cavaliers with a blistering 53% shooting performance from three-point range, hitting 19-of-36 from deep. Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 22 points and 13 assists, and Andrew Nembhard added a playoff career-high 23 points. Indiana’s defense tightened in the fourth quarter, holding Cleveland to just 22 points and limiting the Cavaliers to 24% shooting from beyond the arc (9-of-38), their lowest mark all season.
Cleveland briefly took the lead early in the fourth quarter after a third-quarter rally, but Indiana’s composure and clutch shooting ultimately sealed the win. Haliburton’s timely three-pointer helped put the game away.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 33 points and urged calm after the loss.
“This is nothing to freak out about,” Mitchell said. “Understanding that it’s a long game. They made some shots, and you got to come in and give them credit. To make shots on the road, Game 1, set that tone, that’s credit to them. But never hanging your head. Don’t trip. [It’s] pretty much been the message the whole time. Tonight, understanding that look we didn’t play our best basketball. But we’ll be better.”
He added, “It would’ve been great to come in here and sweep these guys too, but that’s not how this works, man. This is an uphill battle. It’s the playoffs.”
Darius Garland missed his third straight game with a painful toe injury and remains questionable for Game 2. A team source described the toe as “still swollen and painful,” with sharp movements causing discomfort.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson commented on Garland’s status after Game 1.
“He wasn’t ready. It’s a day-to-day thing. We’ll check him tomorrow. I know he’s desperate to play. We need his speed and shot-making. I mean, he’s an All-Star. We’ll check him tomorrow, and I’ll check in with him, see where he is.”
Atkinson added, “It’s a tough one, especially, like I said pregame, with the stopping and starting. He’s hurting. We just have to see if he can figure it out, if we can figure it out-just get him going. We don’t want them out there at 60%, 50%, not with the way they’re pressuring the ball. It just doesn’t make sense.”
Evan Mobley, who tweaked his left ankle, and De’Andre Hunter, who dislocated his thumb on his shooting hand, are also questionable, leaving Cleveland’s depth and defensive versatility in question. Despite the circumstances, the Cavaliers are still -210 to win the series on DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Cavaliers posted a 64-18 regular-season record, second-best in the league, and swept the Miami Heat in the first round. Their balanced scoring, strong interior presence and coaching continuity remain key strengths, but the margin for error is narrowing quickly.
If Cleveland can’t recover physically and respond defensively in Game 2, the challenge of going on the road down 0-2 could become too steep.
