Indianapolis, IN – May 7, 2025 — The Indiana Pacers delivered a historic performance in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, tying an NBA playoff record with 23 three-pointers en route to a 132-95 demolition of the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The win gives Indiana a commanding 3-1 series lead and puts the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed on the verge of a shocking second-round exit.
From the opening tip, the Pacers unleashed a barrage from beyond the arc that left the Cavaliers scrambling to respond. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 30 points and 12 assists, while sharpshooter Buddy Hield added 24 points on 6-of-8 shooting from deep.
The 23 three-pointers tied the all-time NBA playoff record for most threes in a single game, a mark previously set by the Cleveland Cavaliers themselves in 2016 and later matched by the Boston Celtics in 2022.
Haliburton: “We’re not done yet”
“We came out with energy, focus, and a chip on our shoulder,” Haliburton said after the game. “Tying that record is cool, but the job’s not finished. We want to close this out in Cleveland.”
Indiana’s defense also played a crucial role, holding All-Star guard Darius Garland to just 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting. The Cavaliers struggled mightily on both ends, with frustration mounting as Indiana’s lead ballooned to 40 in the third quarter.
Cavs Collapse Raises Questions
The Cavaliers entered the playoffs as a favorite to represent the East in the Finals, but now face elimination in a hostile Game 5 back in Cleveland. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff called the Game 4 loss “embarrassing” and said his team “lacked urgency.”
“This is not who we are,” Bickerstaff said. “We’ve got 48 hours to figure it out or our season’s over.”
Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 18 points but had little help from his supporting cast, acknowledged the uphill battle ahead.
“We’ve got to play desperate now. They punched us in the mouth tonight,” Mitchell said. “It’s up to us how we respond.”
A Statement Win
Indiana’s resounding victory is not only a turning point in this series — it’s a statement to the rest of the NBA. A young Pacers squad, previously considered overachievers, now finds itself one win away from knocking off the East’s best team and advancing to its first Conference Finals since 2014.
With Game 5 set for Thursday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, all eyes will be on whether Cleveland can stave off elimination — or if Indiana can complete one of the most surprising upsets of the postseason.
