The Cleveland Cavaliers avoided falling into a 3-0 hole after beating the Indiana Pacers, 126-104, in Game 3 of their second-round series on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Darius Garland suited up for the first time versus the Pacers after recovering from a sprained toe, while Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter returned to the lineup after missing Game 2 due to a sprained ankle and a sprained thumb, respectively.
But the big story for Cleveland was Donovan Mitchell, who exploded for 43 points, including five three-pointers. He also added nine rebounds and five assists.
It was his fourth 40-point outing in the playoffs, tying LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Allen Iverson and Jerry West for the second-most in NBA history. Michael Jordan tops the list with 12 such games.
The NBA reacted to the milestone by posting a salute emoji and a fire emoji on X, while tagging Mitchell.
🫡🔥 @spidadmitchell https://t.co/E04Hi7yTzq
— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2025
The 28-year-old Mitchell has been known to come up big in the playoffs. He had a memorable run in the NBA bubble in 2020, wherein he dropped two 50-point games for the Utah Jazz.
The six-time All-Star will have to continue his high-scoring ways if the Cavaliers want to even things up versus the Pacers, who only lost 11 games at home in the regular season.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell shoots over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
“I know I scored, but we (also) got stops, made plays," said Mitchell in a report from the Associated Press. "But for me, just trying to be the aggressor.”
Mitchell got ample support in Game 2, with Max Strus scoring 20 points built on four three-pointers, while adding seven rebounds and seven assists. Mobley and Jarrett Allen each had a double-double, combining for 37 points and 25 rebounds on top of five blocks.
Game 4 is on Sunday.
