Cavaliers vs. Pacers: Score Highlights, Injury Updates, Live Game Coverage

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 5, 2026 7:00 PM ET

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered Easter Sunday aiming to both clinch a playoff spot and move closer to first-round home-court advantage. The team hosted the Indiana Pacers on April 5 at Rocket Arena, with tipoff shortly after 6 p.m. The Cavs came in at 48-29. The Pacers were 18-59.

For Cavaliers vs. Pacers: Score Highlights, Injury Updates, Live Game Coverage follow this report. The Cavs needed one win and an Atlanta loss on April 6 to secure home court. Their magic number stood at two entering the night.

Early game flow and scoring

Indiana started hot from long range. The Pacers opened 6-of-8 on 3-pointers and led 20-10 with 7:24 left in the first quarter.

Cleveland responded by attacking the rim. Donovan Mitchell scored 11 points in the opening quarter. The Cavs trailed 32-31 after one period.

The Pacers continued to shoot well from deep. Jalen Slawson had nine first-quarter points. The visitors were 8-of-13 on threes in the opening period.

In the second quarter, Indiana held a 47-35 lead with 7:56 remaining when Quenton Jackson sank two free throws. Moments later, James Harden converted a four-point play after a foul by Micah Potter. Potter is a Mentor native. Harden’s play trimmed the deficit to 47-39.

Notable game moment

Between the first and second quarters, the Cleveland crowd saw the introduction of new Browns head coach Todd Monken. Donovan Mitchell missed a buzzer layup to end the opening quarter.

Injury updates and roster availability

Cleveland ruled out a group of regulars for the game. Those names included Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, Evan Mobley, Jaylon Tyson, and Dean Wade. Each player was out for injury management or specific ailments.

Indiana also had a long injury report. The Pacers listed Johnny Furphy and Tyrese Haliburton with torn ligaments in recent seasons. Additional absences included T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Ivica Zubac. Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker were initially questionable but later ruled out.

Series history and context

The Pacers eliminated Cleveland in a 4-1 Eastern Conference semifinals series nearly a year ago. Indiana advanced to the NBA Finals and reached a Game 7. Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles during that Finals run, and the Oklahoma City Thunder won the title.

This season, the Cavs had won the first three meetings versus the Pacers. A victory on April 5 would give Cleveland a regular-season sweep of Indiana for the first time since 2021-22. The two teams own a long head-to-head history, with the Cavs holding a 107-111 edge in all-time regular-season meetings.