The 2025 NBA playoffs continued Friday with Game 3 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers.
Donovan Mitchell’s 43-point performance guided the Cavaliers to a 126-104 rout over the Pacers and their first victory in the series. Indiana still holds a 2-1 lead with the road team winning each game in the series.
While Mitchell had a busy night, it was a fairly quiet night for Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who was limited to just four points.
Jarrett Allen (19 points and 12 rebounds) and Evan Mobley (18 points and 13 rebounds) produced double-doubles in the victory. Max Strus added 20 points.
The Pacers staged a remarkable comeback in Game 2, winning 120-119 when Haliburton made a last-second 3-pointer to sink the top-seeded Cavaliers. Bennedict Mathurin scored a team-high 23 points for Indiana.
Cavaliers vs. Pacers highlights
Final: Cavaliers 126, Pacers 104
End of third quarter: Cavaliers 97, Pacers 79
The Pacers outscored the Cavs 34-31 in the quarter after Indiana showed signs of life with an 11-2 run during a two-minute stretch in the third quarter. The Cavs were able to gain some momentum after Myles Turner left the game briefly.
Turner went back to the locker room with close to six minutes left in the quarter after a potential foot injury. Turner returned just minutes later after having his ankle retaped.
The Cavs have led by as many as 24 points through the first three quarters of play. The Pacers have not led at any point during the game.
End of second quarter: Cavaliers 66, Pacers 45
The Cavaliers outscored the Pacers 34-13 in the second quarter to take a comfortable lead into the locker room. Donovan Mitchell produced 17 points and five rebounds in the first half while Jarrett Allen and Max Strus finished with 13 points each.
Tyrese Haliburton went scoreless in the second quarter for the Pacers after scoring just two points in the first quarter.
The Pacers shot just 3-for-11 against the Cavaliers’ zone defense in the first half. All three shots came in the second quarter, according to ESPN.
End of first quarter: Cavaliers 32, Pacers 32
It was a roller coaster first quarter in Indianapolis.
The Cavaliers sprinted out to an 11-0 lead and pushed it to 19-5, but Indiana slowly crawled back throughout the frame and tied it up with under 5 seconds to play on a Ben Sheppard 3-pointer.
Myles Turner has a game-high 12 points for Indiana, and Bennedict Mathurin added eight off the bench. Evan Mobley and Max Strus led Cleveland with eight points apiece in the first.
What time is Cavaliers vs. Pacers Game 3?
Game 3 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers will tip at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday, May 9.
How to watch Cavaliers vs. Pacers Game 3: TV, stream
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo
Watch Cavaliers-Pacers Game 3 with Fubo
Cavaliers vs. Pacers NBA playoff schedule, results
(Pacers lead series, 2-0)
Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112
Game 2: Pacers 120, Cavaliers 119
Game 3: Cavaliers at Pacers | Friday, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo
Game 4: Cavaliers at Pacers | Sunday, May 11 | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, Sling TV
Game 5: Pacers at Cavaliers | Tuesday, May 13 | TBD | TNT, truTV, Max, Sling TV*
Game 6: Cavaliers at Pacers | Thursday, May 15 | TBD | ESPN, Fubo*
Game 7: Pacers at Cavaliers | Sunday, May 18 | TBD | TBD*