Donovan Mitchell dropped 43 points on the Indiana Pacers on Monday night to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 135-119 road win. The Pacers’ only lead came when Pascal Siakam scored the first two points of the game on free throws. It was all Cleveland after that. The Cavaliers led by as much as 21 points in the first half, and never gave up the lead the rest of the way. Indiana cut the lead to six briefly toward the end of the third quarter, but Cleveland immediately went on an 8-0 run and cruised the rest of the way.
Mitchell’s Big Night
Mitchell’s 43-point outburst was his third 40-point game of the season, and his second in his last three games. He also had 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Jaylon Tyson added 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. DeAndre Hunter and Evan Mobley each had 13 points, and Tyrese Proctor scored 12 points off the bench. The Cavs were playing without starting point guard Darius Garland (toe) and starting center Jarrett Allen (finger), as well as four of their top bench options on Monday.
Siakam Leads Indiana
Siakam led the Pacers with 26 points and 7 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard scored 21 and added 6 assists, and Jay Huff and Garrison Matthews each chipped in 15 points. Both teams shot well from the floor, but the Pacers had 12 fewer rebounds and six more turnovers.
Guard T.J. McConnell played just six minutes before leaving with what Coach Rick Carlisle described after the game as “general soreness.” The team is currently without Quentin Jackson (hamstring), Aaron Nesmith (knee), and Obi Toppin (foot), who are all expected to miss significant time. Of course, star Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton is sitting out the entire season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
What’s Up Next?
Cleveland’s win snapped a three-game skid and improved its record to 13-9 on the season. Mitchell and the Cavs now will head home for a Wednesday matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers (8-12). Garland is expected to be back for that game, as is his backup, Lonzo Ball, who has been out sick.
Indiana’s loss drops them to 4-17. The Pacers will wrap up their four-game homestand on Wednesday night with a game against the Denver Nuggets (14-6).
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
