After a disappointing 126-104 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Indiana Pacers' locker room was filled with a palpable frustration. Aaron Nesmith emphasized that the Cavaliers simply outworked them, calling for a more intense effort in Game 4. The Pacers, who had a chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead, now find themselves needing to match the Cavaliers' intensity to regain control. T.J. McConnell echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for 'fight' from the team.

The Cavaliers showcased their full strength with the return of Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De'Andre Hunter, which allowed them to effectively deploy a 3-2 zone defense that disrupted the Pacers' flow. McConnell acknowledged the challenges posed by this defensive scheme, calling it a 'curveball' that the Pacers need to adapt to. Despite a brief resurgence in the second half, highlighted by Pascal Siakam’s late 3-pointer, the Cavs quickly regained control and finished strong, with Donovan Mitchell putting up a staggering 43 points.