Cleveland, OH
What to watch for in Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (47-33) will host the Indiana Pacers (46-34) in the second-to-last game of the regular season. The two teams are separated by one game in the Eastern Conference standings, with this game deciding the tiebreaker should it come to that to determine playoff positioning.
What: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
Where: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse – Cleveland, OH
When: 7:30 PM EST
How to Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, NBA League Pass
Line: CLE -2.5
Expected Cavaliers Starting Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Cavaliers Injury Report: Sam Merrill (neck, DOUBTFUL), Dean Wade (knee, OUT), Ty Jerome (ankle, OUT)
Expected Pacers Starting Lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner
Pacers Injury Report: Isaiah Jackson (hamstring, QUESTIONABLE), Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder, OUT), Quinton Jackson (G League, QUESTIONABLE), Isaiah Wong (G League, QUESTIONABLE), Oscar Tshiebwe (G League, QUESTIONABLE)
What to watch for: Playoff atmosphere
The Cavs may still need to win their game Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets, but one way to lessen that need would be to go out and beat the Pacers tonight. With a win, Cleveland would avoid the play-in, win the tiebreaker over Indiana, and put themselves in a position to host a playoff series. Despite having a dreadful last few weeks of the season, the Cavs could find themselves in the same position they were last year: starting the playoffs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
This is a moot point if the Cavs come out flat, much like they did against the Memphis Grizzlies one game earlier. The Grizzlies, without any starters, held a three-point lead over the healthy Cavs at halftime. If they come out with the same level of intensity, the Cavs may have to climb a mountain in the second half. This is a test of not only Cleveland’s defense, as Indiana has the best offense in the league, but one of mental fortitude as well.
Poor body language, slack offense, and not getting back on defense have plagued the Cavs throughout the last several weeks. They cannot allow that aura to take over, or it’ll be a quick night.
What to watch for: Defensive intensity
Indiana has one of the best offenses in the league, leading the NBA in points per game, field goal percentage, and assists per game. They are also second in pace, effective field goal percentage, and offensive rating. Driven by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, the Pacers are ripe to drop 125 points on any given night.
That means the Cavs will need to up their defensive intensity. They weren’t particularly good against the G League lineup Memphis rolled out last game, and the Pacers are an exponentially more potent monster. In their last 15 games, the Cavs essentially have the same defense as the Washington Wizards with a 116.3 defensive rating (24th in the league). In that same timeframe, the Pacers have the second-best offensive rating (120.8) in the league behind the Boston Celtics.
This is a scenario of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Pacers are playing well to round out the season while the Cavs are struggling to put away bad teams like Memphis. One way to help light a fire is to get active on the defensive end. Indiana is not a particularly adept defensive team (24th in the NBA), so if Cleveland can string together some stops and turn them into buckets on the other end it could be the catalyst to put their foot on the throat. But they need to find that gear.
One stat to watch for: Darius Garland shot attempts
The Cavs’ ceiling is centered on several players, but Darius Garland is at or near the top of that list. He has shown more aggressiveness on the offensive end of late, which is good to see. Following a bizarre stretch in which he never attempted more than 17 shots per game (most of those without Donovan Mitchell on the floor, mind you), Garland attempted 25 and 22 shots against the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers respectively. Against the Grizzlies, he only got up 13 shot attempts, hitting five of them, and going 2-9 from three-point territory.
Garland needs to be aggressive, particularly in getting to his spots and taking shots. His passiveness sometimes slows the Cavs down too much, and failing to start a posession until half the shot clock has expired allows opposing defenses to set up and counter. At the beginning of the season, J.B. Bickerstaff preached about having a more dynamic offense that is faster and more run-and-gun. Garland (and Mitchell, too) needs to be the tip of the spear for that against a Pacers’ defense that should have enough soft spots to exploit.
Cleveland, OH
2 people killed in multi-vehicle crash on SR-176 crash in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police gave a tragic update to the SR-176 crash that happened in the southbound lanes near Spring Road on Tuesday afternoon.
Police said two people died in the multiple-vehicle crash that closed the highway for several hours starting around 4:20 P.M.
When officers arrived, they found three vehicles were involved in the crash.
The investigation concluded that a dump truck traveling southbound on SR-176 struck a Jeep Patriot that had slowed. The crash caused the Jeep to continue forward and collide with a Ford E-350 van.
Following the collision, the Jeep rolled over and burst into flames.
The van hit the median and overturned.
The dump truck driven by a 35-year-old male man was not hurt, according to police.
The Jeep was occupied by two people whose ages are unknown were pronounced dead at the scene.
A 71-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman, who were driving the van, were taken by Cleveland EMS to a local hospital for treatment.
The Cleveland Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit is investigating the incident. No additional information is available at this time.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
LeBron James Cleveland Homecoming Possible In Exchange For Former All-Star Center
Getty
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers throws a pass against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
LeBron James could return for a final run with the Cleveland Cavaliers with a massive caveat, and it involves center Jarrett Allen, who has been one of the team’s defensive anchors.
According to ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, the Cavaliers could get LeBron from the LA Lakers in exchange for Allen, a center the Lakers would want to pair with their franchise superstar, Luka Doncic.
However, Windhorst said James would first want to go to Cleveland to make the deal happen. On the other hand, such a trade is a no-brainer for the Lakers.
“There is a thought process in Los Angeles where they have to sign-and-trade LeBron James for Jarrett Allen. And I think if the Cavs are willing to do that, they can have LeBron,” Windorst said via ESPN Cleveland radio.
“Obviously, LeBron would have to want to sign with the Cavs, but if your pathway to paying LeBron the money is to trade Jarrett Allen for him, the Lakers would kill for Jarrett Allen. Kill for him. All right? They would do that deal in 17-tenths of a second.”
How A LeBron James-Jarrett Allen Deal Would Work


GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 25, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 121-115. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
LeBron James is an unrestricted free agent after his contract with the Lakers ended in the past season.
If they were to trade Allen, the Cavaliers could accommodate James’ expected hefty salary, as reports indicated that he is not willing to take a pay cut on his next contract.
There have been rumors about retirement for James and a possible homecoming once more to Cleveland over the past few months, but there are no decisions yet on his future.
There is no word yet about James’ contract value or how long a contract he would sign for, if he is to remain an active NBA player beyond 41 years old.
On the other hand, Allen is locked into a highly secure financial situation after signing a three-year, $91 million contract extension with the Cavaliers.
James last played with the Cavaliers in 2018, leading them to the NBA Finals, but they got swept by the Golden State Warriors. After that NBA Finals stint, he signed with the Lakers and has stayed in Los Angeles since then.
Such a deal suits the Lakers’ biggest offseason objective of getting an A-list center, as reportedly requested by Luka Doncic.
LeBron James’ Future Remains Up In The Air


GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
LeBron James, who had won an NBA championship with Cleveland in 2016, has been contemplating many things at this juncture of his life.
As retirement looms and Father Time starts to creep in, James is expected to decide on his career in the coming weeks.
Right now, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne, James’ future remains up in the air.
“LA is the first team he can talk to because they’re their own free agent,” Shelburne said during her interview on SportsCenter. “My understanding is they had initial conversations with LeBron James’ representative, but he has not even fully committed to returning next year in these conversations.”
James’ decision is one of the most awaited ones in free agency as teams could still be interested in getting one of the greatest players of all time for a final hoorah in the league.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler.
A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda.
More about Rob Andrew Lo
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Cavaliers Trade out of No. 29 Overall in 2026 NBA Draft
The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded out of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Cavs had the No. 29 overall selection on Tuesday night. But Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman decided to trade that selection to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for No. 34 overall and a future second-round selection.
At No. 29 overall, the Cavs will send the Kings UConn forward Alex Karaban.
“It’s in the distant future,” a source told cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor about the future second-round selection acquired in this deal.
Reports from Fedor surfaced early Tuesday morning that the Cavaliers could be interested in bailing out of the first round. By late Tuesday night, Altman was able to execute a trade that sets the Cavs up for further flexibility in the offseason.
Why the Cavs traded out of No. 29 overall
The Cavaliers would’ve owed the No. 29 pick a guaranteed salary just under $2 million.
Because the Cavs are in the lone second apron – and could be looking to shed salary this offseason – ditching the No. 29 overall pick saves the Cavaliers a couple of bucks.
Second round picks are non-guaranteed, two-way deals. That gives the Cavs the financial flexibility they’re looking for.
What the Cavs could do at No. 34 overall
This is a talented draft class. A few high profile players slid into the second round.
UNC center Henri Veesaar is still waiting to hear his name called. The 7-foot center could be a backup to Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Duke wing Isaiah Evans is also still waiting to hear his name called, and could fill a big position of need for the Cavaliers. Arkansas guard Maleek Thomas was consistently mocked to Cleveland, and he slid to Day 2 as well.
There’s always a chance that Altman could trade back again.
Second round draft picks are valuable because they could be used as sweeteners in trades this offseason. For example, in exchange for a team taking on the contract of a player like Dennis Schroder or Max Strus, the Cavaliers might want to attach a second round draft pick to make the package more appealing to a trade partner.
Flexibility should be the name of the game for Altman as he tries to improve Cleveland’s roster this offseason. The Cavs won’t have a first round draft pick until 2028. But bailing out of Tuesday night’s first round will give Altman plenty of options on Wednesday and into the rest of the offseason.
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