INDIANAPOLIS — On Friday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally put up a formidable performance against the Indiana Pacers, thanks to the return of key players Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De’Andre Hunter. This welcome comeback helped the team break free from their previous defeats, capturing a 126-104 victory to narrow the series gap to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Evan Mobley, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, showcased his prowess on the court, contributing significantly to the Cavaliers’ dominating rebounding efforts. Despite earlier setbacks, such as a severe left ankle sprain in Game 1, Mobley delivered a notable performance with 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks. “I knew if I was going to come out here and play, I had to be able to do certain things,” Mobley stated. “I felt pretty comfortable, especially yesterday and then during shootaround today. I felt good. So I was pretty confident I could come out here and play my game.”
Additionally, All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell delivered an impressive 43 points and nine rebounds, building on his previous 48-point effort, which had ended in defeat. Darius Garland returned from his sprained left big toe to contribute 10 points and three assists in approximately 25 minutes, overcoming significant pain to aid his team. Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged Garland’s determination, saying, “He’s just playing through a lot of pain to get him to play this game. But taking the 0-2 situation, I think he had to push through a lot tonight.”
De’Andre Hunter, coming off the bench after a sprained right thumb in Game 1, added eight points and five rebounds in 20 minutes. Despite a heavy collision during the match, Hunter managed to persist and play through the physical challenges.
Indiana initially took advantage of Cleveland’s earlier injuries, snagging wins in the first two games by capitalizing on their depth. However, a strong performance and strategic play by the Cavaliers in Game 3 prevented another late-game comeback by the Pacers. With a full lineup and Mitchell at the helm, Cleveland managed to extend their lead and avoid a daunting 3-0 deficit in the series.
Now, the attention turns to how swiftly Mobley, Garland, and Hunter can fully recover before Game 4 on Sunday in Indianapolis. Coach Atkinson emphasized Garland’s contribution, stating, “Listen, if he could get 15 to 20 minutes, we need it. We need another ball-handler. He can create separation. He can create advantages. Even if it’s not going to be perfect, we need him right now.” The Cavaliers are looking to build on their recent triumph and even the series as they continue to battle the resilient Pacers.