The cleveland cavaliers vs pacers match player stats from May 11, 2025 tell the story of a historic blowout. Indiana crushed Cleveland 129-109 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with Pascal Siakam dropping 21 points, while Myles Turner and Obi Toppin each poured in 20 points to push the Pacers to a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Pacers tied an NBA playoff record with a 41-point halftime advantage, matching the largest halftime lead in playoff history. Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 21 points, but Cleveland never had a chance after Donovan Mitchell left at halftime with an ankle injury, finishing with just 12 points.
Table of contents
- Game Summary: Pacers Dominate From Opening Tip
- Cleveland Cavaliers Player Stats
- Indiana Pacers Player Stats
- Quarter by Quarter Breakdown
- Advanced Stats Comparison
- Key Player Performances
- Historic First Half Dominance
- Bench Production Makes the Difference
- Defensive Stats and Efficiency
- Coaching Perspectives
- Series Context
- Notable Attendance and Celebrities
- Injury Report
- Looking Ahead to Game 5
- Statistical Superlatives
- Game Notes and Observations
Game Summary: Pacers Dominate From Opening Tip
Final Score: Indiana Pacers 129, Cleveland Cavaliers 109
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025
Series: Pacers lead 3-1 in Eastern Conference Semifinals
The fourth-seeded Pacers answered back after their Game 3 blowout loss with an even more emphatic statement. Indiana built their massive lead without one of their top scorers, Bennedict Mathurin, who was ejected just 7.5 minutes into the game for a Flagrant 2 foul.
The halftime score of 80-39 matched the record set by the Cavaliers themselves in the 2017 Eastern Conference finals against Boston. Aaron Nesmith’s buzzer-beating jumper at the end of the second quarter made the Pacers the 10th team in playoff history to score 80 points in the first half.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Stats
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | TO | STL | BLK | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darius Garland | 27 | 21 | 6-11 | 1-5 | 8-8 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | -21 |
| Isaac Okoro | 19 | 13 | 5-6 | 2-2 | 1-2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +15 |
| Donovan Mitchell | 20 | 12 | 3-11 | 1-5 | 5-6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | -35 |
| Jaylon Tyson | 12 | 11 | 2-6 | 2-3 | 5-6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +12 |
| Max Strus | 22 | 11 | 4-9 | 3-7 | 0-0 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -22 |
| Evan Mobley | 27 | 10 | 3-7 | 2-4 | 2-2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -27 |
| Ty Jerome | 18 | 7 | 2-3 | 1-1 | 2-2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -4 |
| De’Andre Hunter | 16 | 5 | 0-4 | 0-2 | 5-6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | -9 |
| Craig Porter Jr. | 10 | 4 | 2-4 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +14 |
| Dean Wade | 11 | 3 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -13 |
| Chuma Okeke | 5 | 3 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +9 |
| Tristan Thompson | 12 | 3 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +12 |
| Sam Merrill | 14 | 2 | 0-2 | 0-2 | 2-2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -10 |
| Javonte Green | 7 | 2 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +3 |
| Jarrett Allen | 20 | 2 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -24 |
Team Totals: 30-70 FG (43%), 14-35 3PT (40%), 35-40 FT (88%)
Total Rebounds: 41 (10 offensive, 31 defensive)
Team Assists: 20
Turnovers: 22
Indiana Pacers Player Stats
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | TO | STL | BLK | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | 21 | 21 | 9-10 | 2-2 | 1-1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +29 |
| Myles Turner | 22 | 20 | 7-13 | 4-4 | 2-3 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +24 |
| Obi Toppin | 21 | 20 | 9-14 | 1-4 | 1-3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +9 |
| Ben Sheppard | 29 | 14 | 5-10 | 2-6 | 2-2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -7 |
| T.J. McConnell | 18 | 13 | 5-9 | 1-2 | 2-2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +9 |
| Aaron Nesmith | 23 | 12 | 4-8 | 2-4 | 2-2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +27 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | 26 | 11 | 3-8 | 1-5 | 4-5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +27 |
| Andrew Nembhard | 30 | 7 | 3-7 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +22 |
| Thomas Bryant | 9 | 5 | 1-2 | 1-1 | 2-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| Jarace Walker | 14 | 4 | 2-8 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -15 |
| James Johnson | 8 | 2 | 1-2 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -7 |
| Tony Bradley | 8 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -7 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | 1 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +5 |
| Johnny Furphy | 10 | 0 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -15 |
Team Totals: 49-93 FG (53%), 15-35 3PT (43%), 16-20 FT (80%)
Total Rebounds: 37 (8 offensive, 29 defensive)
Team Assists: 37
Turnovers: 10
Quarter by Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Cavaliers | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 23 | 38 |
| 2nd | 16 | 42 |
| 3rd | 38 | 29 |
| 4th | 32 | 20 |
| FINAL | 109 | 129 |
Indiana absolutely destroyed Cleveland in the first half, outscoring them 80-39. The Pacers opened the second quarter with a 10-0 run and closed it with a devastating 19-2 surge that left the Cavaliers shell-shocked. Cleveland tried to fight back in the second half, outscoring Indiana 70-49, but the damage was already done.
Advanced Stats Comparison
| Category | Cavaliers | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 43% | 53% |
| 3-Point % | 40% | 43% |
| Free Throw % | 88% | 80% |
| Points in Paint | 32 | 58 |
| Bench Points | 53 | 58 |
| Points Off Turnovers | 13 | 35 |
| Fast Break Points | Not Available | Not Available |
| Second Chance Points | Not Available | Not Available |
The Pacers dominated where it mattered most. Their 58-32 advantage in paint points and 35-13 edge in points off turnovers reflected complete control. Indiana also posted a franchise playoff record with 25 assists in the first half alone, showcasing their ball movement and unselfishness.
Key Player Performances
Pascal Siakam (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists)
Siakam was surgical, making 9 of 10 shots from the field and both of his three-point attempts. His efficiency set the tone early and helped the Pacers build their massive lead. Playing just 21 minutes, he scored 18 points in the first half alone.
“I just thought we had fight,” Siakam told reporters after the game. “I don’t really look at the points and all that stuff. I just thought our fight was there, which is important.”
Myles Turner (20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists)
Turner delivered a perfect shooting performance from beyond the arc, hitting all four of his three-point attempts. He poured in 13 points in the second quarter alone, helping Indiana stretch their lead to historic proportions.
“We got punched in the mouth last game,” Turner said in his TNT interview. “We had a hell of a response, the stars set the tone and the bench picked it up the rest of the game. Staying focused. Don’t believe the hype. Keep rollin’.”
Obi Toppin (20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists)
Coming off the bench, Toppin provided instant offense with 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting. His energy and scoring punch gave the Pacers a lift when the starters rested.
Darius Garland (21 points, 6 assists)
Garland battled through a toe injury to lead Cleveland in scoring. Playing in just his second game back from a four-game absence, he scored 12 points in the third quarter trying to spark a comeback that never materialized.
Donovan Mitchell (12 points before injury)
Mitchell’s night ended at halftime with a left ankle injury suffered during warmups for the third quarter. He finished with just 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting in 20 minutes, marking his lowest playoff point total of the season. Coach Kenny Atkinson announced Mitchell would undergo an MRI on Monday.
Tyrese Haliburton (11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists)
After his four-point disaster in Game 3, Haliburton bounced back with a solid all-around performance. While not dominant statistically, his floor leadership helped Indiana regain their identity.
“We felt the last game, they set the tone from a physical standpoint,” Haliburton said. “Today, we came out and set the tone from the jump, really just rode that wave.”
Historic First Half Dominance
The 80-39 halftime score became the centerpiece of this blowout. Indiana made 30 of 50 shots (60%) in the first half while Cleveland managed just 8 of 32 (25%). The Pacers shot 16-for-24 in the second quarter alone, compared to Cleveland’s abysmal 4-for-17.
Aaron Nesmith’s buzzer-beating jumper capped the half and made the Pacers the 10th team in NBA playoff history to score 80 first-half points. Oklahoma City had just accomplished the same feat earlier in the week with 87 points against Denver.
The assist numbers were equally staggering. Indiana recorded a franchise playoff record and NBA postseason record with 25 assists in the first half, showcasing the ball movement that defines their offense.
Bench Production Makes the Difference
Cavaliers Bench: 53 points
Pacers Bench: 58 points
Indiana’s depth proved crucial. Ben Sheppard scored a playoff career-high 14 points, while T.J. McConnell added 13 points and eight assists. The bench mob kept the pressure on even when starters rested.
Cleveland’s bench tried to keep them in it, with Isaac Okoro dropping 13 points and Jaylon Tyson adding 11, but it wasn’t nearly enough against Indiana’s balanced attack.
Defensive Stats and Efficiency
The Pacers forced 22 Cleveland turnovers while committing just 10 themselves. This 35-13 advantage in points off turnovers became one of the game’s defining margins.
Indiana also controlled the paint, outscoring Cleveland 58-32 in that area. The Cavaliers missed Jarrett Allen’s usual rim protection, as he managed just two points in 20 minutes with a minus-24 rating.
Coaching Perspectives
Rick Carlisle (Pacers Head Coach)
Carlisle earned his 33rd playoff win with Indiana, passing Larry Bird for the most in franchise NBA history. Despite the dominant victory, he remained cautious.
“We haven’t done anything yet,” Carlisle said. “We’re going to keep approaching this like we have everything to prove. We know people don’t believe in us, so we’re just going to stay in the fight and keep fighting.”
Kenny Atkinson (Cavaliers Head Coach)
Atkinson kept it brief but honest in his assessment of the loss.
“Complete domination by them,” Atkinson said. “They dominated us in every facet of the game.”
He confirmed Mitchell’s ankle injury and the planned MRI, adding that at least the Cavaliers would have two of the final three games on their home court if they could extend the series.
Series Context
The Pacers now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can close it out in Game 5 on Tuesday in Cleveland. Indiana has already won twice at Rocket Arena in this series, taking both Games 1 and 2 before dropping Game 3 by 22 points.
This marked a complete reversal from Game 3, when Cleveland dominated the glass and held Haliburton to just four points. The road team has won every game in this series, with the visiting squad winning by an average of 22 points through four games.
Notable Attendance and Celebrities
The sellout crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse included Indianapolis 500 winners Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon, WNBA Rookies of the Year Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, and former NFL star Reggie Wayne. The energy from the crowd fueled Indiana’s dominant performance from the opening tip.
Injury Report
Bennedict Mathurin: Ejected in the first quarter for a Flagrant 2 foul on De’Andre Hunter. Despite losing one of their best scorers early, the Pacers barely missed a beat.
Donovan Mitchell: Left ankle injury suffered during halftime warmups. Did not return for the second half. Will undergo MRI on Monday to determine severity.
Darius Garland: Playing through a left big toe sprain. Limited in effectiveness but battled through pain to lead Cleveland in scoring.
Looking Ahead to Game 5
The series shifts back to Cleveland for a potential elimination game on Tuesday, May 13. The Cavaliers face a must-win situation, having never recovered from a 3-1 deficit in playoff history when the road team won the first two games and split at home.
Indiana can advance to its second consecutive Eastern Conference finals with a victory. They would face the winner of the Knicks-Celtics series in the next round.
For Cleveland, the challenge is monumental. They need to win three straight games, starting with a home victory in Game 5, all while dealing with Mitchell’s ankle injury and Garland’s ongoing toe problems.
Statistical Superlatives
Pacers Franchise Records (Playoff)
- Most first-half points: 80
- Most first-half assists: 25 (also NBA playoff record)
NBA Playoff Records Tied
- Largest halftime lead: 41 points (tied with 2017 Cavaliers vs Celtics)
Individual Milestones
- Ben Sheppard: Playoff career-high 14 points
- Rick Carlisle: 33rd playoff win with Indiana (franchise record)
- Myles Turner: Perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range
Game Notes and Observations
The physicality from Game 3 carried over, with the Pacers drawing five technical fouls. The chippy nature of the contest started early when Mathurin was ejected for his foul on Hunter.
Turner’s shooting performance from deep was particularly impressive given the pressure of a playoff game. His ability to space the floor created driving lanes for Haliburton and Nembhard.
Cleveland’s three-point shooting percentage (40%) looked respectable, but the volume told the real story. The Cavaliers only attempted 35 threes compared to Indiana’s rhythm offense that generated better looks.
The third quarter gave Cleveland hope, as they outscored Indiana 38-29. Garland’s 12 points in the period sparked dreams of a historic comeback. But the fourth quarter saw Indiana’s veterans close out professionally, never letting the lead dip below 20 points.
The cleveland cavaliers vs pacers match player stats from this May 11, 2025 showdown revealed a complete team effort from Indiana and a Cleveland squad that couldn’t overcome early deficits and key injuries. With Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Obi Toppin each scoring 20-plus points, the Pacers put themselves one win away from the Eastern Conference finals.
For comprehensive coverage of NBA playoff matchups and detailed player statistics, visit Match vs Player Stats for the latest updates and analysis.
