In a pivotal Game 3 that was essentially a must-win, the Cleveland Cavaliers roared back to life with a dominant 126-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The much-needed win came with the timely return of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, both of whom provided a crucial boost on both ends of the court.
Garland’s return stabilized the offense, bringing much-needed playmaking and spacing, while Mobley’s presence in the paint helped anchor a defense that had struggled in the earlier games of the series. But it was Donovan Mitchell who once again proved why he’s built for the big moments.
Mitchell dropped over 40 points, unleashing a relentless scoring barrage that kept the Pacers from ever mounting a serious threat. Every time Indiana looked poised for a run, Mitchell answered with a dagger, making sure there would be no blown leads this time around. His explosive playoff performance set the tone early and held strong throughout.
The Cavaliers looked sharper, more physical, and far more focused than in Games 1 and 2. Their defensive intensity was up, their ball movement improved, and the reinserted stars brought a new level of energy. Cleveland now trails 2-1 in the series but has clearly shifted the momentum heading into Game 4.
If the Cavs can keep this fire going—and Mitchell stays in full “Playoffs Donovan” mode—they’ll have a real shot at evening the series and putting the pressure back on Indiana. Game 3 was a statement.
