In a thrilling Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Tyrese Haliburton shone for the Indiana Pacers, scoring a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer that helped secure a 121-112 victory over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Haliburton's performance included 22 points and 13 assists, complemented by his defensive prowess, notably blocking a critical shot by Max Strus late in the game.

Andrew Nembhard also made headlines with a playoff career-high of 23 points, showcasing Indiana's deep shooting capability as they converted 19 of their 36 three-point attempts. In contrast, Cleveland struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 9 of 38 attempts, despite Donovan Mitchell's stellar 33-point effort.

The Cavaliers' Evan Mobley contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds, but ultimately, Indiana's cohesive team effort and strategic shooting outmatched Cleveland's defense. The Pacers, now positioned for a potential upset, look to build on this momentum in Game 2.