Donovan Mitchell Drops 43 on Pacers’ Heads as Cavs Finally Remember How to Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS — The Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off impersonating a G-League squad for two games, suddenly recalled they employ a man named “Playoff Donovan” Mitchell. The result? A 126-104 demolition of the Indiana Pacers that sliced their series deficit to 2-1—and restored some much-needed chaos to this Eastern Conference semifinal.
Mitchell’s Masterclass (Because Someone Had To)
With the Cavs threatening to Cleveland away another fourth-quarter lead, Mitchell decided enough was enough, delivering a three-minute murder spree that included:
- A fadeaway over two defenders (because contested mid-range shots are his brand).
- A pull-up three because why not?
- A dime to Max Strus for another three, just to rub salt in the wound.
Final stat line: 43 points, 9 rebounds, and zero fks given** about Indiana’s home crowd.
“I couldn’t let it happen again,” Mitchell said postgame, referencing Cleveland’s patented “blow a 20-point lead” special. “I know I scored, but we got stops. I just had to be the aggressor.” (Translation: “My teammates were allergic to buckets until I took over.”)
Cavs’ Supporting Cast: Alive, Barely
While Mitchell went supernova, Cleveland’s MAS*H unit finally showed signs of life:
- Evan Mobley (DPOY, allegedly) returned from injury and remembered he’s 7 feet tall.
- Darius Garland (toe intact) played his first game in two weeks and didn’t immediately combust.
- Max Strus (20 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast) hit four threes, because Miami Heat alumni love haunting the Pacers.
Even Cleveland’s zone defense made a surprise appearance—a shocking twist for a team that previously defended like they were wearing roller skates.
Pacers’ Meltdown: A Symphony of Fail
Indiana’s issues were… numerous:
- Tyrese Haliburton: 4 points, 5 assists, and the existential dread of losing his first-ever playoff home game.
- Rick Carlisle’s honesty: “This was a very poor effort… Clearly, I didn’t have these guys ready.” (Coach speak for “I want to scream into a pillow.”)
- Technical fouls: Five of them, because nothing says “composure” like arguing down 24.
The Pacers briefly flirted with a comeback, cutting the deficit to 11 in the fourth… until Mitchell and Strus said “lol no” and buried them under an avalanche of buckets.
The Big Picture
- Road Team Wins Again: All three games this series have gone to the visitors. (NBA scheduling: flawless as always.)
- Mitchell’s Legacy Game: After two passive performances, he went full “give me the damn ball” mode.
- Pacers’ Reality Check: That 24-point halftime deficit? Not ideal for a team that thinks it’s a contender.
Next: Game 4 is Sunday in Indy. Will the Pacers wake up? Or will Mitchell drop 50 just for fun?
