Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers match player stats in 2026 tell the story of two Central Division rivals heading in completely opposite directions. The Cavaliers are a legitimate Eastern Conference contender sitting at 41–27.
The Indiana Pacers, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, have plummeted to 15–53 — one of the worst records in the entire league this season.
The Cavaliers own a perfect 3–0 record against Indiana so far in the 2025–26 regular season. One more meeting is scheduled for April 5, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
The three games played this season came on November 21 (NBA Cup), December 1, and January 6. Cleveland won all three by comfortable margins, including a 135–119 blowout in early December powered by Donovan Mitchell’s 43-point explosion.
The power shift in this rivalry is staggering. Last season the Pacers knocked out Cleveland in five games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals — a result that still fuels the Cavaliers roster heading into every matchup. Mitchell himself confirmed that the 2025 playoff elimination still drives him.
| Game | Date | Location | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 (NBA Cup) | Nov 21, 2025 | Cleveland | Cavaliers | 120–109 |
| Game 2 | Dec 1, 2025 | Indianapolis | Cavaliers | 135–119 |
| Game 3 | Jan 6, 2026 | Indianapolis | Cavaliers | 120–116 |
| Game 4 | Apr 5, 2026 | Cleveland | TBD | Upcoming |
The Cavaliers have outscored Indiana by a combined 95 points across three games. That margin of dominance tells you everything about where these franchises stand in 2026.
The first meeting was an NBA Cup game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland controlled it from the start and pulled away convincingly in the second half after Darius Garland returned to the lineup.
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 52 points. The Cavaliers dominated the glass with a massive 52–43 rebounding advantage — one of the clearest indicators of how these teams’ physicality compares this season.
Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard was the lone Pacer to put up a big number, matching Mitchell’s total with 32 points on efficient shooting. But nobody else on Indiana’s side could keep pace.
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | CLE | 32 | — | — | 50% (11/22) |
| Darius Garland | CLE | 20 | — | 7 | — |
| Evan Mobley | CLE | — | 12 | — | — |
| Andrew Nembhard | IND | 32 | — | 8 | 55% (11/20) |
| Pascal Siakam | IND | — | 9 | — | — |
Cleveland’s rebounding advantage of 52–43 was the game’s defining team stat. Evan Mobley hauled in 12 boards — 8 defensive and 4 offensive — anchoring the glass for the Cavaliers all night.
Indiana shot only 30% from three (11-of-37) and 42% overall. Those numbers simply cannot produce wins against a healthy Cavaliers team.
Game 2 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was the most dominant performance of the three. Donovan Mitchell was on a different level, putting up 43 points on 16-of-27 shooting while adding 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
Mitchell’s triple-threat night was a statement performance. He carried Cleveland to a 21-point lead twice in the game and the Cavaliers never looked back. They shot 51% from the floor while holding Indiana to 49%.
Jaylon Tyson was the secondary hero for Cleveland — contributing 27 points on an incredibly efficient 10-of-13 shooting (76.9%) and a team-high 11 rebounds. It was arguably Tyson’s best game of the season.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | 43 | 9 | 6 | 16/27 | 59.3% |
| Jaylon Tyson | 27 | 11 | — | 10/13 | 76.9% |
| Evan Mobley | 13 | — | — | — | — |
| DeAndre Hunter | 13 | — | — | — | — |
Cleveland had a 48–36 rebounding advantage in this game as well. That edge on the glass was consistent across both away games in Indianapolis and speaks to a structural advantage the Cavaliers hold over this current Pacers roster.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | 26 | 7 | — | 11/21 | Team leader |
| Andrew Nembhard | 21 | — | 6 | — | — |
| Garrison Mathews | 15 | — | — | 3/3 3PT | Three 3-pointers |
| Jay Huff | 15 | — | — | — | Season high at that point |
Indiana shot 49% from the floor but committed 14 turnovers — 6 more than Cleveland’s 8. Cleveland converted those turnovers into points and never let Indiana build the momentum they needed.
Across the three 2025–26 games against Indiana, Donovan Mitchell has put up extraordinary numbers. He scored 32, 43, and a game-winning 29 points in those three contests — averaging 34.7 points per game against the Pacers this season.
Mitchell has been openly clear about his motivation. The 2025 playoff loss to Indiana when the Cavaliers were the top seed — a 63-win team — still burns. He told reporters that Indiana continues to fuel him all season long.
His total of 75 points in the first two games alone this season was a number he acknowledged himself. There is a personal edge in every Cavaliers vs Pacers game that elevates his performance beyond the regular statistical averages.
Game 3 was the closest of the three and the most dramatic. Indiana — without Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and Obi Toppin due to injuries — actually led Cleveland by 9 points entering the fourth quarter.
Darius Garland delivered the hero performance. He scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, fueling a 13-point Cleveland comeback run. The Cavaliers erased the deficit and escaped with a 4-point win.
The Cavaliers themselves were shorthanded — Donovan Mitchell was given the night off and Max Strus was already sidelined for the month. Cleveland’s depth showed up in a major way, with Evan Mobley (20 pts), Sam Merrill (19 pts), and Jarrett Allen (19 pts) carrying the load.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darius Garland | 29 | — | — | 14 pts in Q4 alone |
| Evan Mobley | 20 | — | — | Led team in scoring |
| Sam Merrill | 19 | — | — | 6/10 from three |
| Jarrett Allen | 19 | — | — | Strong interior game |
Sam Merrill’s 6-of-10 three-point shooting was elite efficiency off the bench. His ability to shoot at that clip without hesitation is exactly what Cleveland needs from their reserves when the stars rest.
Garland’s fourth-quarter takeover was a reminder of how dangerous he is as a secondary scorer. He is often overshadowed by Mitchell but this game showed his clutch gene is real.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | 22 | — | — | Team leader again |
| Jay Huff | 20 | — | — | 7/10 FG, 4/7 from 3PT |
| Andrew Nembhard | 15 | — | 11 | Double-double in assists |
Andrew Nembhard’s 11 assists were the standout playmaking number of the game. He kept Indiana competitive with his distribution all night, but the Pacers simply could not execute down the stretch without their injured stars.
Jay Huff went 4-of-7 from three and scored 20 points — a season-high at the time. He has emerged as one of Indiana’s few bright spots in an otherwise brutal season.
The Cavaliers sit at 41–27 in the Eastern Conference, second in the Central Division behind the league-surprising Detroit Pistons. They are firmly in playoff position and fighting for a top-four seed heading into April.
Their identity this season is built on elite defense, rebounding dominance, and the scoring firepower of Mitchell and Garland as a one-two punch. When both are healthy, Cleveland is a genuine contender.
The lingering question is clutch execution. Cleveland has dropped some important games in close situations this season — losses to Milwaukee, Detroit, and Oklahoma City where the Cavaliers were competitive but could not close. Fixing that habit is their primary pre-playoff goal.
| Player | Role | Key Strength | Season Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | SG | Primary scorer, clutch performer | 34.7 PPG vs IND this season |
| Darius Garland | PG | Playmaking, Q4 execution | Hero of Game 3 vs IND |
| Evan Mobley | PF/C | Rebounding, defense, versatility | 12 boards in Game 1 vs IND |
| Jaylon Tyson | SF | Efficient scoring off bench | 27 pts on 77% shooting in Game 2 |
| Sam Merrill | G | Three-point shooting | 6/10 from 3PT in Game 3 |
| Jarrett Allen | C | Interior scoring, rebounding | 19 pts in Mitchell’s rest game |
The Cavaliers’ depth is genuinely impressive. Three different players stepped up as leading scorer in Game 3 without Mitchell — Mobley, Allen, and Garland shared the load seamlessly. That kind of roster depth is what separates playoff contenders from pretenders.
The contrast from 2024–25 to 2025–26 is staggering for Indiana. Last season the Pacers went to the NBA Finals. This season they are 15–53 — the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
The injury situation has been catastrophic. Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and Obi Toppin have all missed significant time at various points this season. When your core players are unavailable simultaneously, rebuilding becomes the reality rather than competing.
Pascal Siakam has remained a reliable individual performer — he leads Indiana in scoring in every game against Cleveland this season with 26, 26, and 22 points. He is a legitimate All-Star caliber forward playing on a team that simply does not have the supporting cast around him right now.
| Player | G1 (Nov 21) | G2 (Dec 1) | G3 (Jan 6) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | — (injured) | 26 pts | 22 pts | Most consistent Pacer |
| Andrew Nembhard | 32 pts | 21 pts | 15 pts / 11 AST | Versatile playmaker |
| Jay Huff | — | 15 pts | 20 pts | Emerging role player |
| Garrison Mathews | — | 15 pts | — | Three-point specialist |
| Tyrese Haliburton | — | — | Out (injury) | Season disrupted |
Andrew Nembhard has been Indiana’s most consistent performer across the season series. He has posted 32, 21, and 15 points in the three meetings and added 11 assists in Game 3. His scoring has dropped each meeting, but he remains Indiana’s most reliable primary ball-handler when healthy.
| Stat | Cleveland Cavaliers | Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points (3 games) | 375 | 344 |
| Average Score | 125.0 | 114.7 |
| Series Record | 3–0 | 0–3 |
| Avg Rebounding | 49.3 | 38.3 |
| Avg FG% | ~49.7% | ~46.3% |
| Avg Turnovers | ~10.7 | ~12.3 |
| Largest Win | 16 pts (Game 2) | — |
| Closest Game | 4 pts (Game 3) | — |
Cleveland’s rebounding dominance is the single most repeatable advantage across all three games. Outrebounding Indiana by an average of 11 per game is not a fluke — it reflects the physical superiority the Cavaliers possess on the front line.
Any analysis of Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers match player stats in 2026 requires understanding the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals backdrop. Indiana — as the fourth seed — eliminated the top-seeded Cavaliers (64-18) in five games. It remains one of the biggest upsets in recent Eastern Conference history.
The Pacers then went on to reach the NBA Finals, losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder. That run validated the upset but did not ease the sting in Cleveland’s locker room.
In the 2025 playoff series, the Pacers won three straight after dropping the first game, with Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith making decisive plays in each victory. Donovan Mitchell scored 48 points in one game but Cleveland still lost. That combination of personal brilliance and collective failure perfectly encapsulates what Cleveland’s offseason was spent trying to fix.
| Game | Location | Winner | Score | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Cleveland | Cavaliers | 112–109 (OT) | Mitchell 33 pts |
| Game 2 | Cleveland | Pacers | 121–112 | Haliburton 13 AST |
| Game 3 | Indianapolis | Pacers | 120–119 | Haliburton 23 pts |
| Game 4 | Indianapolis | Pacers | 129–109 | Siakam/Turner 20+ each |
| Game 5 | Cleveland | Pacers | 114–112 | Nesmith 22 pts |
Cleveland’s inability to protect home court in Games 2 and 5 — where they had every advantage and still lost — was the defining failure of that series. Both losses at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse are the wounds that have not fully healed.
The fourth and final regular season meeting is scheduled for April 5 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland will be at full strength and fighting for playoff seeding. Indiana will likely be in full evaluation mode for younger players.
For Cleveland, this game is about momentum and rhythm going into the postseason. Coach Kenny Atkinson may rest some veterans depending on where the Cavaliers stand in the standings. A win would complete a perfect 4–0 regular season sweep of Indiana.
For Indiana, this game represents one final chance to avoid being swept in the season series. Rick Carlisle has emphasized player development in the second half of the season and young players will get extended minutes. Fans should watch Jay Huff, Ben Sheppard, and any emerging prospects the Pacers give big minutes to.
The emotional stakes for Mitchell and Garland remain high regardless of Indiana’s record. The 2025 playoff revenge narrative does not expire simply because the Pacers are struggling in 2026.
One of the most underreported storylines in the Cavaliers vs Pacers series this season is Evan Mobley’s impact. He does not always show up in the headline scoring numbers, but his presence is the difference-maker on both ends.
His 12-rebound game in the NBA Cup win was the foundation of Cleveland’s 52–43 rebounding edge. His shooting efficiency and screen-and-roll production force Indiana to make impossible defensive choices.
Mobley’s versatility — defending centers, forwards, and even guards at the perimeter level — is something Indiana simply cannot match. In a season where defensive anchors separate contenders from challengers, Mobley is quietly playing All-NBA caliber ball.
Pascal Siakam deserves significant credit for his consistency against Cleveland this season. On a 15-win team decimated by injuries, he has posted 26, 26, and 22 points in three games against the second-best team in the Central Division.
His 11-of-21 shooting in Game 2 showed his mid-range game remains elite. His ability to create off the dribble in isolation forces even Cleveland’s excellent half-court defense to make adjustments.
Siakam is playing for more than Indiana’s season at this point. His contract situation and the team’s rebuild make his current performances essentially an extended audition. Every big game against a playoff team strengthens his value either in Indiana’s future plans or on the open market.
| Team | W | L | PCT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | 48 | 19 | .716 | Division leader |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 41 | 27 | .603 | Playoff contender |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 28 | 39 | .418 | Play-in territory |
| Chicago Bulls | 27 | 40 | .403 | Play-in territory |
| Indiana Pacers | 15 | 53 | .221 | Lottery bound |
The division gap between Cleveland and Indiana is 26 games — one of the largest gaps between two division rivals in the entire NBA this season. That gap reflects every storyline in this rivalry’s 2026 chapter.
Cleveland’s playoff path depends on maintaining their position above Milwaukee and Orlando in the Eastern Conference standings. Every win, including the April 5 matchup against Indiana, matters for seeding.
Game 3 on January 6 was a defining moment for Darius Garland’s narrative this season. Scoring 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 9-point deficit — without Mitchell — confirmed his status as more than just a complementary piece.
Garland’s ability to create his own shot in late-game situations is vastly underrated. His floater, his pull-up three, and his decision-making at the end of shot clocks are all elite-level tools.
The question for Cleveland is whether Garland can be that catalyst consistently in the playoffs when defenses are specifically designed to stop him. His Game 3 vs Indiana was the most compelling evidence that the answer is yes.
Even as Indiana’s season has fallen apart, Andrew Nembhard has been a consistent professional. His three performances against Cleveland — 32 points, 21 points, 15 points and 11 assists — reflect a player who rises to the level of competition.
He shot 55% from the floor in Game 1, including an efficient mid-range game that kept Indiana close for three quarters. His 11 assists in Game 3 with only 10 turnovers on the entire Indiana team shows how cleanly he distributes when given responsibility.
Nembhard is exactly the kind of secondary playmaker playoff teams covet. If Indiana continues its rebuild, keeping him healthy and featured will be critical to any future turnaround.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the 2025–26 season series 3–0. One game remains on April 5, 2026 in Cleveland.
Donovan Mitchell leads all scorers with 43 points in Game 2 on December 1, 2025. He averages 34.7 points per game against Indiana this season across three meetings.
Cleveland won 120–116 in a dramatic comeback. Darius Garland scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 9-point deficit. Donovan Mitchell was resting, making Garland’s clutch performance even more remarkable.
Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers with 26 points in both Game 2 and Game 3. Andrew Nembhard matched that total in Game 1 with 32 points on 55% shooting from the floor.
The fourth and final regular season meeting is scheduled for April 5, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The game tips off at 3:00 PM PDT / 6:00 PM EDT.
Evan Mobley posted 12 rebounds in Game 1 and 20 points in Game 3. He also scored 13 in Game 2. His rebounding has been the critical difference in Cleveland’s three wins this season against Indiana.
Indiana eliminated Cleveland in five games in the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals despite Cleveland having the NBA’s best record at 64–18. Donovan Mitchell has publicly stated the loss still fuels the entire Cavaliers roster in 2026.
The Pacers went from NBA Finals participants in 2024–25 to a 15–53 record in 2025–26. A severe injury wave — including Haliburton, Turner, Mathurin, Jackson, and Toppin at various points — has derailed the season entirely.
As of mid-March 2026, the Cleveland Cavaliers are 41–27, sitting second in the Central Division and firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture behind the first-place Detroit Pistons.
Evan Mobley (20 pts), Sam Merrill (19 pts on 6-of-10 three-point shooting), and Jarrett Allen (19 pts) all stepped up. Darius Garland’s 29-point clutch performance — especially 14 in Q4 — was the decisive contribution.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers match player stats in 2026 tell a fascinating two-chapter story.
The regular season results show the Cavaliers comfortably superior — a 3–0 record, double-digit rebounding advantages, and performances from Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Tyson that underscore their championship potential.
The Pacers, meanwhile, are enduring one of the sport’s most dramatic single-season collapses, falling from Eastern Conference Finals participants to a 15-win lottery team in 12 months. Yet within that collapse, bright spots remain.
Siakam’s consistency, Nembhard’s playmaking, and Jay Huff’s emergence give Indiana something to build on.
The April 5 finale at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse offers one more chance for both teams to write their final regular season chapter in this rivalry. For Cleveland, it is about momentum and playoff readiness. For Indiana, it is about dignity, development, and proof that better days are ahead.