Tyrese Haliburton delivered a clutch performance for the Indiana Pacers, scoring 22 points and dishing out 13 assists in a surprising 121-112 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Haliburton's pivotal 3-pointer in the fourth quarter not only turned the tide for Indiana but was also complemented by Andrew Nembhard, who scored a playoff career-high 23 points, showcasing the Pacers' sharpshooting prowess by hitting 19 of 36 from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers, despite Donovan Mitchell's stellar 33-point effort, struggled from the perimeter, hitting only 9 of 38 attempts.

Indiana's balanced attack saw all five starters score in double figures, while Cleveland, despite a brief lead in the fourth quarter, could not capitalize on their chances to secure a win. With Game 2 set in Cleveland, the Pacers aim to extend their momentum while the Cavaliers are left to regroup and re-strategize after this unexpected loss.