Pacers Crush Cavaliers in Game 4, Push to the Brink of Eastern Conference Finals

Pacers Deliver Historic Blowout in Game 4 Against Cavaliers

The Indiana Pacers served up a basketball lesson on May 12, 2025, absolutely steamrolling the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109 to seize control of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. In front of a roaring Indiana crowd, the Pacers didn’t just win—they made history, sprinting out to a 41-point halftime lead, tying the all-time NBA playoff record for largest halftime advantage. That mark was set by Cleveland themselves back in 2017, but this time, they were on the receiving end of the embarrassment.

Right from the tip-off, Indiana pounced on every Cavalier weakness. The ball zipped around with purpose, shooters found their rhythm, and Cleveland’s defense—often reliable this season—collapsed under relentless pressure. Pascal Siakam shined, dropping 21 points with his confident drives and smooth mid-range jumpers. It wasn’t just a one-man show: Indiana spread the scoring love, moving the ball with the energy of a March Madness run, not a mid-May playoff grind.

Drama flared early when Bennedict Mathurin got tossed from the game. Just seven minutes in, Mathurin got caught up in an altercation with De’Andre Hunter and was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul. The rookie left with zero points and just one rebound, adding a quick chapter to his already eventful postseason. The Pacers barely blinked; if anything, they tightened their grip, pouring in points and suffocating the Cavaliers on the other end.

Mitchell Goes Down, Cavaliers Lose Their Spark

If the night could’ve gotten worse for Cleveland, it did. Donovan Mitchell, their heartbeat and go-to scorer, hobbled off with a left ankle injury and didn’t return after halftime. Without him, the Cavaliers looked lost. Darius Garland did what he could, matching Siakam’s 21 point tally, but every Cleveland push fizzled against Indiana’s unrelenting pressure and depth.

Coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed after the game that Mitchell would be getting an MRI, casting a shadow over the Cavaliers’ already steep climb. If Mitchell can’t bounce back for Game 5, Cleveland’s season might be cooked. Garland, Jarrett Allen, and the rest of the supporting cast will need to crank their games up several notches to stave off elimination on their home floor.

The mood in Indiana’s locker room was all business. Nobody wants to tempt fate by looking ahead, but with a 3-1 series lead and a battered Cavaliers squad, the Pacers are staring at their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in over a decade.

• Biggest halftime lead in NBA playoff history (tied with Cleveland’s 2017 team)
• Bennedict Mathurin’s early ejection didn’t slow down the Indiana offense
• Pascal Siakam’s leadership keeps shining under postseason lights
• Donovan Mitchell’s injury leaves Cleveland’s future uncertain

Tuesday’s Game 5 in Cleveland could swing the whole series. Can the Cavaliers dig deep, or will the Pacers close the book and move on? For now, Indiana has all the momentum—and the records to prove it.