The Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers match player stats delivered an electrifying showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, blending high-octane offense with gritty defensive stands in this NBA Cup group stage thriller. On November 21, 2025, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, the Cavaliers avenged last season’s playoff heartbreak with a hard-fought 120-109 victory over the injury-riddled Indiana Pacers. Standout performances lit up the box score, from Donovan Mitchell’s scorching 32 points to Andrew Nembhard’s breakout 32-point explosion, making the pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats a must-analyze for hoops enthusiasts craving clutch drama.
Flipping the script on last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals elimination, the cleveland cavaliers vs pacers match player stats highlighted Cleveland’s second-half surge while exposing Indiana’s vulnerabilities without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, sidelined by an early Achilles tear from the Finals. Key storylines included Darius Garland’s seamless return with 20 points, Evan Mobley’s double-double dominance (22 points, 12 rebounds), and the Pacers’ resilient fightback led by Pascal Siakam (26 points, 9 rebounds) and Bennedict Mathurin (21 points). Amid whispers of playoff implications and Haliburton’s ongoing recovery buzz, this game underscored the East’s fierce parity.
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🏟️ Key Players and Teams Who Took the Field
This section dives deep into the pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats, spotlighting the rosters that clashed in this NBA Cup battle. With Haliburton’s absence looming large after his Finals Achilles injury, the Pacers leaned on secondary scorers, while the Cavaliers showcased their revamped backcourt depth.
Teams and Key Players
| Team | Key Players | Notable Stats (PTS/REB/AST) |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | Andrew Nembhard | 32 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST |
| Indiana Pacers | Pascal Siakam | 26 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST |
| Indiana Pacers | Bennedict Mathurin | 21 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Donovan Mitchell | 32 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Evan Mobley | 22 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Darius Garland | 20 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST |
Game Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Type | NBA Cup Group Stage (East Group A) |
| Location | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH |
| Date/Time | November 21, 2025, 7:00 PM ET |
| Significance | First matchup since Pacers’ 2025 ECF win; impacts group standings |
| General Recap | Cavaliers surged in Q3 for 120-109 win; Pacers fought but faltered without Haliburton |
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring
| Quarter | Pacers Score | Cavaliers Score | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 28 | 30 | 58 |
| Quarter 2 | 27 | 32 | 59 |
| Quarter 3 | 24 | 35 | 59 |
| Quarter 4 | 30 | 23 | 53 |
Additional Breakdown Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Moments | Mitchell’s 3Q three-pointer sparked 21-9 run; Nembhard’s late 16-4 rally |
| Momentum Shifts | Cavs took control mid-Q3; Pacers closed gap to 10 in Q4 |
| Injuries/Substitutions | Haliburton out (Achilles); Garland subbed in Q1 return |
| Strategies | Cavs focused on Mobley pick-and-rolls; Pacers emphasized Siakam isos |
| Extra Insights | Electric crowd fueled Cavs’ home energy; fast pace (102 possessions) |
What Was the Event? This was a regular season NBA Cup group stage game, part of the in-season tournament format.
Where Was the Match Held? Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
When Did It Take Place? November 21, 2025, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET.
Why Was the Match Significant? It marked revenge for Cleveland after their 2025 playoff exit and influenced East Group A standings, with broader implications for playoff seeding.
How Did It Unfold Generally? The Pacers hung tough early, trailing 62-55 at half, but Cleveland’s third-quarter explosion sealed it despite Indiana’s fourth-quarter push. The pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats revealed balanced scoring but Cavs’ depth prevailed.
📊 Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Breaking down the pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats quarter by quarter reveals tactical chess and individual heroics that defined this NBA Cup clash.
Quarter 1
Key Moments: Nembhard drained two early threes for 10 points; Mitchell countered with a driving layup and block on Siakam. Shifts in Momentum: Cavs edged ahead 30-28 after a 7-0 run. Player Substitutions/Injuries: Garland entered to cheers; no major injuries. Notable Strategies: Both teams pushed tempo with full-court presses. Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring: See table above. Extra Insights: Crowd erupted for Garland’s return; quick pace set offensive tone.
Quarter 2
Key Moments: Siakam posterized Mobley for a dunk; Garland assisted Mitchell’s mid-range fadeaway. Shifts in Momentum: Cavs built 62-55 lead with 8-2 close. Player Substitutions/Injuries: Mathurin checked in, sparking bench energy. Notable Strategies: Pacers zoned up to slow Mitchell; Cavs exploited mismatches. Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring: See table above. Extra Insights: Halftime hype videos amped the arena; tempo dipped slightly.
Quarter 3
Key Moments: Mobley’s and-one play ignited 21-9 run; Nembhard’s steal led to fast-break score. Shifts in Momentum: Cavs ballooned lead to 97-79, crushing Pacers’ spirits. Player Substitutions/Injuries: Haliburton’s absence felt in playmaking voids. Notable Strategies: Cavs switched everything defensively; Pacers force-fed isos. Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring: See table above. Extra Insights: Fans chanted “De-fense!” during the surge; fatigue showed for Indy.
Quarter 4
Key Moments: Nembhard’s 16-4 rally included a clutch three; Mitchell iced it with free throws. Shifts in Momentum: Pacers narrowed to 10 but fizzled late. Player Substitutions/Injuries: Garbage time subs for both. Notable Strategies: Indy went small-ball; Cavs milked clock. Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring: See table above. Extra Insights: Tense finish drew standing ovation; post-game buzz on Haliburton recovery.
🌟 Highlight Standout Performances
The pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats spotlighted stars who rose to the occasion, compensating for Indy’s Haliburton void with sheer willpower.
Star Players and Their Stats
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | Notable (e.g., Blocks/Steals) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Nembhard | Pacers | 32 | 5 | 6 | 60% | 2 Steals |
| Pascal Siakam | Pacers | 26 | 9 | 4 | 55% | 1 Block |
| Bennedict Mathurin | Pacers | 21 | 4 | 2 | 50% | 3-PT Splash |
| Donovan Mitchell | Cavs | 32 | 3 | 5 | 58% | 2 Blocks |
| Evan Mobley | Cavs | 22 | 12 | 3 | 62% | Double-Double |
| Darius Garland | Cavs | 20 | 2 | 7 | 48% | 3 Assists in Q2 |
Shooting Percentages
| Team | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 48% | 38% | 85% |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 52% | 42% | 90% |
Assists, Steals, Blocks
| Category | Pacers Total | Cavaliers Total |
|---|---|---|
| Assists | 22 | 28 |
| Steals | 8 | 7 |
| Blocks | 4 | 6 |
Clutch Moments: Nembhard’s fourth-quarter three at 112-102; Mitchell’s block on Mathurin’s drive with 2:00 left. Leadership and Teamwork: Siakam anchored Pacers’ huddle; Mobley directed Cavs’ switches, fostering seamless rotations.
📈 Key Statistics
Core pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats paint a picture of efficiency and errors in this high-stakes affair.
Final Score
| Team | Final Points |
|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 109 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 120 |
Total Points/Rebounds
| Category | Pacers | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 109 | 120 |
| Total Rebounds | 42 | 48 |
Turnovers
| Team | Turnovers |
|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 14 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 11 |
Time of Possession
Estimated at 48.2 minutes for Pacers (faster pace favored Indy but Cavs controlled flow).
Steals, Blocks, Fumbles (Adapted: Steals, Blocks, Turnovers)
| Category | Pacers | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Steals | 8 | 7 |
| Blocks | 4 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 11 |
Total Yards Comparison (Adapted: Pace-Based Points Estimate)
Pacers: 102 possessions (high tempo); Cavaliers: 100 (controlled efficiency).
🗣️ Quotes or Reactions
Post-game reactions captured the raw emotion from the pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats, blending triumph and resolve.
- Donovan Mitchell (Cavs Guard): “That third quarter was all about trust—Mobley set the tone, and we just fed off the energy. Felt good to get this W against them after last year.” (On his 32 points and the run.)
- Andrew Nembhard (Pacers Guard): “Stepping up without Tyrese? It’s tough, but that’s the league. My 32 felt empty without the dub, but we’ll bounce back.” (Reflecting on career-high amid Haliburton injury.)
- Kenny Atkinson (Cavs Coach): “Garland’s return was clutch—20 and 7 assists? That’s our engine. Defense in Q3 won it, plain and simple.” (Praising team stats.)
- Pascal Siakam (Pacers Forward): “26 and 9 isn’t enough if we can’t close. Haliburton’s watching; this one’s for him next time.” (Emotional nod to injury.)
- Darius Garland (Cavs Guard): “Coming back to drop 20? Therapeutic. The crowd lifted us—now onto Clippers.” (On personal performance.)
| Quote Source | Key Theme | Emotional Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell | Third-Quarter Surge | Triumphant Confidence |
| Nembhard | Personal High | Resilient Determination |
| Atkinson | Defensive Tactics | Strategic Satisfaction |
| Siakam | Team Loss | Motivated Heartache |
| Garland | Return Performance | Relieved Gratitude |
🧠 Match Analysis
Unpacking the pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats through a strategic lens reveals highs, lows, and lingering questions.
- What Went Right for Pacers: Nembhard’s explosion (32 PTS) and Siakam’s versatility kept them alive; bench scoring (Mathurin 21) showed depth.
- What Went Wrong for Pacers: 14 turnovers killed momentum; Haliburton’s absence (Achilles) crippled playmaking (only 22 assists).
- What Went Right for Cavaliers: Q3 defense (21-9 run) and Mobley’s boards (12 REB) dominated; Mitchell/Garland duo clicked (52 PTS combined).
- What Went Wrong for Cavaliers: Early fouls (18 total) let Indy hang; Q4 lapses allowed 30 points.
- Offensive Successes: Cavs’ 52% FG shredded Pacers’ perimeter D; Indy’s transition game yielded 28 Q1 points.
- Defensive Failures: Pacers allowed 35 Q3 points; Cavs struggled with Siakam’s post-ups (26 PTS).
- Controversial Calls: Late charging call on Nembhard sparked bench debate; no ejections but refs drew jeers.
- Game-Changing Moments: Mobley’s and-one at 8:00 Q3; Haliburton’s phantom presence amplified Indy’s iso-heavy woes.
- Recent Form: Pacers 4-1 pre-game but 0-2 in Cup (post-Finals hangover); Cavs 7-3, riding home streak.
| Analysis Category | Pacers Insight | Cavaliers Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Successes | Secondary Scoring Burst | Second-Half Surge |
| Failures | Turnover Prone | Foul Trouble |
| Turning Point | Q4 Rally Falls Short | Q3 Run Seals It |
| Season Context | Finals Heartbreak Lingers | Playoff Revenge Fuels Run |
🏁 Conclusion
The pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats from November 21 encapsulated the NBA’s relentless grind—a tale of redemption for Cleveland and resilience for a battered Indiana squad. This 120-109 Cavaliers win bolsters their East Group A standing, inching them toward playoff momentum, while the Pacers’ slip to 0-2 in the Cup tests their depth without Haliburton, whose Achilles recovery offers hope for a 2026-27 resurgence.
Looking ahead, Cleveland eyes a Clippers clash to build streak, aiming for top-East contention. Indiana hosts Detroit, channeling this loss into fire for a Finals rematch push. In the end, games like this remind us: basketball’s beauty lies in the unbreakable human spirit, turning stats into stories that echo long after the buzzer.
❓ FAQs Section
What was the final score in the Pacers vs Cavaliers game?
Cleveland won 120-109, pulling away in the third quarter.
Who led the pacers vs cleveland cavaliers match player stats in scoring?
Andrew Nembhard (Pacers) and Donovan Mitchell (Cavs) both dropped 32 points.
How did Tyrese Haliburton’s injury impact the game?
Haliburton, out with an Achilles tear from the Finals, left the Pacers without their playmaker, forcing reliance on Nembhard and Siakam.
What was the key momentum shift?
A 21-9 Cavaliers run in the third quarter turned a 7-point halftime lead into a 18-point bulge.
Which team shot better from three?
Cleveland edged out with 42% (13/31) vs. Indiana’s 38% (11/29).
What’s next for the teams after this matchup?
Pacers host Detroit; Cavaliers welcome the Clippers, both in NBA Cup action.
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