Indiana Pacers Stun Cavaliers with Another Last-Minute Comeback in Game 2 Thriller
CLEVELAND, OH. (WE) — For the second time in as many series, the Indiana Pacers pulled off a comeback that left fans stunned and opponents speechless. On Tuesday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Pacers clawed their way back from a 20-point deficit and a seven-point hole with just over a minute left to edge out the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-119 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The hero? Tyrese Haliburton, who delivered a clutch step-back three-pointer with 1.0 second remaining to cap off a stunning rally. After splitting a pair of free throws with 12.1 seconds left that cut the Cavaliers’ lead to two, Haliburton found redemption with the game-winning shot just before time expired.
“I knew I had to make up for the missed free throw,” Haliburton said after the game. “I got the look I wanted, and once it left my hand, I knew it was going in.”
Haliburton finished the night with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, but it was his late-game heroics that electrified the Pacers bench and silenced a Cleveland crowd that had been roaring moments earlier.
From Down and Out to Up 2-0
The Indiana Pacers now lead the series 2-0, putting the pressure squarely on the Cavaliers as the action shifts to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 3 on Friday night.
Much like their dramatic Game 6 comeback against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round — where Indiana erased a seven-point overtime deficit in the final 40 seconds — the Pacers proved once again that no lead is safe.
“We don’t quit,” said Pacers center Myles Turner, who scored 23 points, pulled down 8 rebounds, and swatted 5 shots. “There’s no panic in this group. We’ve been in these situations before, and we just keep playing.”
Turner’s presence in the paint was pivotal, especially in slowing down Cleveland’s second-chance opportunities late in the game.
Nesmith, Mathurin Spark Pacers’ Rally
Aaron Nesmith was instrumental in Indiana’s comeback, finishing with 23 points and drilling five of his eight attempts from deep. His putback dunk off a missed free throw from Pascal Siakam with under 30 seconds remaining brought the Pacers within one.
Nesmith then drew a controversial offensive foul on Donovan Mitchell during the Cavaliers’ final possession, setting the stage for Haliburton’s dramatic finish.
Off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin added 19 points, providing a much-needed scoring boost as Indiana clawed back from a dismal start. The Pacers hit just 1-of-8 from three-point range to open the game but ended the night 11-of-28 (39.3%) from beyond the arc.
“We kept fighting,” Mathurin said. “We trust each other, and when we play our game, we can beat anyone.”
Andrew Nembhard had a mixed performance with 13 points, 13 assists, and 7 rebounds, but his 8 turnovers nearly proved costly.
Mitchell’s 48 Not Enough
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell did everything he could to will his short-handed team to a series-tying win. The All-Star poured in 48 points on 14-of-27 shooting, adding 9 assists and 4 steals while hitting 17-of-21 from the line.
“Donovan was incredible tonight,” said Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “He did everything we asked and then some. We just couldn’t get a stop when we needed it most.”
The Cavaliers were without three key players: starting guard Darius Garland (toe), big man Evan Mobley (ankle), and reserve wing De’Andre Hunter (thumb). Despite the absences, Cleveland dominated early and built a 20-point lead in the third quarter.
Jarrett Allen was a force inside, contributing 22 points and 12 rebounds. Max Strus chipped in 23 points and 9 rebounds, but Cleveland’s cold three-point shooting (11-of-39, 28.2%) and 14 offensive rebounds could not prevent another heartbreaking loss.
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Inside the Wild Final Minutes
With 1:06 remaining in regulation, the Cavaliers led 117-110 after a deep three from Strus. But the Pacers refused to fold. Haliburton converted an and-one, and Mathurin slashed through the lane for back-to-back baskets, trimming the deficit to 119-116 with 27.5 seconds left.
That’s when Siakam’s bucket and Nesmith’s putback dunk brought the Pacers within one. On the next possession, Nesmith drew an offensive foul on Mitchell — a play that was heavily scrutinized but stood after a brief review.
With 4.2 seconds remaining, Haliburton isolated at the top of the key, danced into a three-pointer, and buried it with a defender in his face. Cleveland’s final heave at the buzzer fell short.
Game Flow: From Blowout to Buzzer Beater
First Quarter: Sluggish Start
Cleveland jumped out to a 32-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, capitalizing on Indiana’s offensive miscues. The Pacers hit just 5-of-16 from the field, 1-of-8 from three, and committed 9 turnovers.
Mitchell scored 10 points in the first, and Jarrett Allen dominated the boards early. Indiana went over six minutes without a field goal before Nembhard’s layup broke the drought.
Second Quarter: Glimmers of Life
The Indiana Pacers trimmed the lead to single digits midway through the second quarter thanks to back-to-back threes by Haliburton and Turner. However, turnovers remained a problem, and Nembhard committed his fifth by the 4:58 mark.
Haliburton appeared to injure his left wrist during a loose-ball scramble but returned after an X-ray and heavy taping. At halftime, the Cavaliers led 61-50, powered by Mitchell (21 points) and Strus (14 points).
Third Quarter: Cavs Surge
Mitchell continued his onslaught in the third, scoring 15 more points and assisting on several key plays. A thunderous dunk by Strus pushed Cleveland’s lead to 20 with 5:07 left.
But the Pacers chipped away. Toppin and Nesmith hit threes, and Mathurin found his groove with a series of tough finishes. Still, Cleveland entered the fourth up 98-84.
Fourth Quarter: The Comeback
Indiana opened the final quarter with five quick points, prompting a Cleveland timeout. Haliburton and Mathurin spearheaded the attack, and Turner made key plays on both ends.
With Mitchell already at 40 points and constantly drawing fouls (he finished 17-of-21 from the line), the Cavaliers tried to hold on. But Indiana’s resilience proved insurmountable.
Postgame Reactions
“People will talk about Tyrese’s shot, and rightfully so,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “But it was a team effort — Nesmith’s hustle, Myles’ defense, Bennedict’s spark, and just never giving up.”
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, must regroup fast.
“We’ve let two slip away,” Mitchell said. “We can’t hang our heads. We’ve got to get right and go steal one on the road.”
What’s Next?
Game 3 tips off Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With the Indiana Pacers up 2-0, they have a golden opportunity to take a commanding lead and inch closer to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers will need to hope for positive injury updates on Garland and Mobley, and for Mitchell’s brilliance to continue.
“We’re going home,” Turner said with a smile. “And we’ve got the momentum.”
