Mitchell Scores 43 as Cavaliers Beat Pacers in Game 3, Cutting Eastern Semifinals Deficit to 2-1

26 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated May 10, 2025, 03:26 AM

Donovan Mitchell poured in 43 points, nine rebounds and five assists to power the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday night in Indianapolis, cutting Cleveland’s series deficit to 2-1.

Mitchell shot 14-for-29 from the field and knocked down five three-pointers, becoming the first Cavalier since LeBron James to record consecutive 40-point playoff games. According to OptaSTATS, he joins Michael Jordan and James as the only players in the past 40 years to average at least 40 points over the opening three games of a postseason series.

Max Strus added 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, hitting two early triples as Cleveland opened with an 11-0 burst. The Cavaliers built an 80-62 advantage midway through the third quarter and never trailed again.

Indiana’s offense sputtered as Tyrese Haliburton was limited to four points on 2-of-8 shooting with three turnovers. Myles Turner scored 12 in the opening period, but the Pacers could not match Mitchell’s scoring surge and missed a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

Game 4 remains in Indianapolis on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, where the Pacers will try to regain momentum and the Cavaliers will look to level the best-of-seven series.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.