Mitchell Ignites Cavaliers with a Playoff Masterclass
Donovan Mitchell didn’t just show up—he took control. Facing the threat of falling into a 3-0 playoff hole, Mitchell poured in 43 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and handed out 5 assists, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a statement 126-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference series. Fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse could feel right from the tip that Mitchell wasn’t going to let the season slip away quietly.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Cleveland trailed 2-0 after dropping both games on the road, with critics already writing their obituary. But Mitchell attacked relentlessly—slashes into the paint, draining threes, drawing contact, and sparking energy that rippled right down the Cavs roster.
Teammates Step Up While Pacers Struggle
Mitchell had company, too. Max Strus chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds, asserting himself in the open floor and keeping the Pacers guessing with his outside shooting. Jarrett Allen put together a double-double with 19 points and 12 boards, anchoring the paint and cleaning up any misses. Then there was Evan Mobley—back in the lineup after sitting out with a sprained ankle—who looked unfazed with his 18 points and 13 rebounds, giving Cleveland a massive boost in the frontcourt. These weren’t stat-padding numbers; every bucket mattered as the Cavaliers built up a 15-point first-quarter lead and never let Indiana get comfortable.
If Cavs fans were looking for a bit more from Darius Garland, they’ll have to wait. Making his playoff return from a toe injury, Garland got tangled up in foul trouble and was never able to settle, ending his night with just 10 points in limited minutes. Still, coach Kenny Atkinson saw what he needed: “This was now or never. The guys played for each other and didn’t let the injuries get in their heads.”
On the other side, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle couldn’t mask his frustration. Tyrese Haliburton, usually the engine for Indiana’s offense, was a non-factor as the Cavaliers blanketed him in traffic and forced rushed looks. Carlisle admitted his team failed to generate open space and simply “didn’t put in enough effort—plain and simple.” The Pacers managed to win just one quarter, fading as Cleveland kept the pace high and their defensive rotations sharp.
So the series shifts. Cleveland, once teetering on the brink, has sent a message: the Cavs aren’t done yet, and Mitchell is ready to drag them as far as he has to go.
