Mitchell’s 38 Leads Cavaliers Past Shorthanded Pacers to Secure Playoff Edge

Key Takeaways:

• Donovan Mitchell tallied 38 points, with 23 coming after the interval, as the Cavaliers triumphed 117-108 over the Pacers
• Cleveland’s victory brought their magic number for securing home-court advantage in the first playoff round down to one
• Obi Toppin and Micah Potter each netted 21 points for Indiana, who lined up only nine players due to injuries

Mitchell Delivers as Cavaliers Rally After Half-Time

Donovan Mitchell was instrumental in Cleveland’s 117-108 victory against the depleted Indiana Pacers in Cleveland on Sunday, pouring in 38 points, including 23 in the second half. James Harden contributed 28 points and dished seven assists, keeping Cleveland within touching distance before Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s key three-pointer granted them a 99-96 lead early in the fourth quarter – a lead they would not relinquish, eventually broadening the gap to 15 points.

Sunday evening dub!

📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/50xDPb2EDg @Redfin | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/kcrfs9euHP

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 6, 2026

Cleveland’s Playoff Push and Rotation Choices

With their position in the postseason already secured, the Cavaliers (49-29) chose to rest starting frontcourt members Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Sam Merrill. Nevertheless, Thomas Bryant made the most of his first start of the campaign, producing 14 points and collecting 10 rebounds. Mitchell was prolific from the floor, converting 16 of his 27 attempts, while also recording six rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes.

This result moves Cleveland to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, maintaining a four-game cushion over Atlanta with four games to play. The Cavaliers are set to host the Hawks on Wednesday night, followed by a contest in Atlanta on Friday night.

Pacers Short on Numbers and Star Power

Indiana fielded just nine players, lacking their five leading scorers due to a wave of injuries, with All-Star forward Pascal Siakam (left ankle sprain) and Ben Sheppard (right hip sprain) both sidelined after sustaining injuries in their previous outing at Charlotte. Despite the adversity, Obi Toppin recorded a season-best 21 points with eight rebounds, while Micah Potter also supplied 21 points with 12 rebounds. Jalen Slawson, operating on a two-way contract, provided a career-high 19 points.

The Pacers, owning the NBA’s second-worst record at 18-60, sit a game ahead of Washington. Indiana started brightly, as Slawson hit four three-pointers en route to 14 points during the opening half, helping the Pacers to an early 47-35 advantage and a narrow 58-55 edge at the interval. Indiana connected on eight three-pointers in the first half.

Looking Ahead

Indiana is scheduled to host Minnesota on Tuesday night, while Cleveland travels to Memphis for a Monday night match-up.