CLEVELAND — In an impressive display, Andrew Nembhard contributed 19 points, while Pascal Siakam notched 18 points alongside nine rebounds, leading the Indiana Pacers to a decisive 108-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. This win ended Cleveland’s remarkable 12-game winning streak, which was the best in the NBA.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday night in Indianapolis for the completion of their home-and-home series.
Myles Turner also had a solid performance, recording a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Additionally, Jarace Walker came off the bench to provide support with eight points and 12 rebounds, ensuring the Pacers secured their sixth consecutive win. Indiana’s defense was particularly effective, limiting the Cavaliers to just 40 points in the second half and marking Cleveland’s lowest scoring output for the season.
For the Cavaliers, this loss was their first since December 8, during a game against Miami. They currently hold an impressive overall record of 33-5, including a remarkable 20-2 at home in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Darius Garland led Cleveland with 20 points and contributed seven assists, while Donovan Mitchell added 19 points. Evan Mobley also had a noteworthy game, finishing with 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
A significant detail for the Pacers was the absence of All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton in the second half due to left hamstring tightness. Before his exit, Haliburton tallied two points and registered five assists, having been a key player throughout the season with an average of 8.9 assists and 35.0 minutes per game.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was praised by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle for the depth and style of the team under Atkinson’s leadership, highlighting the lack of weaknesses in their lineup and that every player is capable of scoring while also playing solid defense.
A pivotal moment in the game came shortly after the Cavaliers established their largest lead of the night at 60-45 in the third quarter. The Pacers responded with an explosive 32-7 run, taking control of the game. Obi Toppin was instrumental during this stretch, scoring 10 points in just five minutes, including a highlight-reel steal and slam.
One of the notable statistics from the game was the Cavaliers’ struggle with shooting. Despite leading the league with a 40.1% success rate from beyond the arc, they made only 11 out of 41 attempts on this night. In particular, they struggled in the second half, hitting just one of their first 16 three-point attempts, ultimately finishing with a season-low 26.8% shooting percentage. Mitchell and Garland combined for half of those successful attempts.
