Indiana

Short Handed Cleveland Cavaliers Defeat Indiana Pacers 108-103

Published

2 years ago

March 19, 2024

Short Handed Cleveland Cavaliers Defeat Indiana Pacers 108-103

Source: Justin Casterline / Getty

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) – Despite missing Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Max Strus, and Dean Wade, the Cleveland Cavaliers (43-25) hand the Indiana Pacers (38-31) a 108-103 loss to conclude the three-game homestand.

1. First Quarter

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After a dominating second half against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, the Indiana Pacers opened the first quarter with that same level of play. Georges Niang got the scoring started with a layup to put Cleveland Cavaliers ahead. Indiana tied it, but Cleveland scored the next five points to go ahead 7-2 after a Jarrett Allen layup. The Pacers responded with a 19-3 run that featured baskets from Pascal Siakam, T.J. McConnell, Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, Andrew Nembhard, and Ben Sheppard. Indiana’s largest lead in the quarter would be twelve after a Siakam layup with 55.8 seconds left. After one, it was 34-25 Pacers. Siakam led all scorers with seven points followed by Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen with six points. Indiana outrebounded Cleveland 12-5 in the first quarter.

2. Second Quarter

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After shooting 60.9% in the first quarter, Indiana really struggled in the second quarter. The Pacers shot 33.3% from the field and 10% from three-point range. It took Cleveland three minutes and five seconds to make it a two-possession game after Allen converter two free throws. Indiana responded by going from leading 37-32, to leading 47-32 courtesy of a 10-0 run capped off by a McConnell layup. That run woke up Cleveland because the Pacers scored seven points the final 7:38. Indiana’s defense was solid, but with the shooting struggles and five turnovers, it allowed the Cavaliers to tie the game up at 54 at halftime. Former Pacer Caris LeVert went off for 13 points in the quarter to lead all scorers with 17 points. Indiana’s leading scorer was McConnell with 10 points.

3. Third Quarter

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As I have documented throughout the season, the Pacers have been one of the best third quarter teams all season, but tonight would not be the case. Cleveland outscored Indiana 36-29 coming out of the locker room. After just two points in the first half, Cleveland’s Darius Garland led the Cavs in scoring with 10 points for the quarter. Cleveland only had six guys score in the quarter. After a Siakam field goal to make it 59-58 Cleveland, they went on a 13-4 run to take its first double digit lead with 7:11 left in the third. Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith hit back-to-back threes and then Siakam converted a layup to make it 74-70 with 6:09 left. From there on out, the two teams just exchanged stops and field goals. After three quarters of play, Cleveland led 90-83. LeVert still led all scorers with 19 points followed by Siakam with 17 points.

4. Fourth Quarter

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After struggling in the third quarter, the Pacers did a solid job in the fourth quarter by not letting Cleveland push the lead back out to ten or more. The closest Cleveland got was after a Rick Carlilse technical foul, where Sam Merrill made the free throw, making it 99-90. Tyrese Haliburton and Nembhard responded with three-pointers to make it 99-96 with 6:23 remaining. LeVert then scored a layup on the following possession for Cleveland. Haliburton would make it a two-point game after scoring a field goal through contact and making the free-throw with 4:37 remaining. He then tied the game at 103 with a floater with 2:05 left in the contest. However, the Pacers simply couldn’t generate any offense and lost 108-103.

5. Top Performers

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Caris LeVert (23p, 11a, 8r), Jarrett Allen (23p, 9r), Marcus Morris Sr. (14p, 4 threes), Georges Niang (13p), Darius Garland (13p, 7a, 6r), and Sam Merrill (11p). For Indiana, Pascal Siakam (19p, 12r), Tyrese Haliburton (14p, 12a, 6r), T.J. McConnell (14p, 4a), Myles Turner (12p, 3r). For tonight’s full box score, click here.

6. Notes

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Indiana held Cleveland to 9 points the final 9:11
Jarrett Allen recorded 20+ points for the 17th time this season
- Cavaliers 12-5 in such games
Caris LeVert logged his 5th double-double of the season
- LeVert scored 20+ points for the 13th time of the season
- LeVert dished out 10+ assists for the 4th time this season
Marcus Morris played in his first game since 2/5/24 for the Philadelphia 76ers
- Was just signed to a 10-day contract on Sunday
Pascal Siakam recorded his 12th double-double on the season
- Back-to-back games with a double-double
- 7th double-double as a Pacer
Tyrese Haliburton recorded his 36th double-double of the season
- Haliburton dished out 10+ assists for the 41st time of the campaign
- Haliburton now shooting 11/65 (16.9%) this month from three
- Currently shooting a career low 35.9% from three
  - Previously season low was last season 40.0%
  - October – 33.3% (3 games)
  - November – 46.7%
  - December- 36.9%
  - January – 30.4% (7 games)
  - February – 38%
- When Haliburton returned with 8:06 left in the game, he went 3/8, 1/6 from three, and 1/1 at the free-throw line
  - Other possessions:
    - Andrew Nembhard three-pointer (Haliburton assist)
    - Obi Toppin missed three-pointer
    - Andrew Nembhard missed three-pointer
    - Aaron Nesmith turnover
    - Myles Turner field goal (Nembhard assist)
    - Siakam turnover
  - Myles Turner is 5 blocks away from setting the franchise record for blocks
    - Jermaine O’Neal holds record with 1,245
  - Indiana sits 7th in the Eastern Conference standings
    - Trail Philadelphia 76ers by .5 game for 6th
    - Trail Orlando Magic by 2.5 games for 5th
    - Trail New York Knicks by 3.5 games for 4th
    - .5 game advantage over Miami Heat for 8th
    - 5 game advantage over Chicago Bulls for 9th

7. Notes

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With the three-game homestand complete, the Indiana Pacers now go on the road for five consecutive games so the NCAA Tournament can play the first two rounds at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The road trip starts on Wednesday night in Detroit. Pat Boylan will start the Kroger Pregame Show at 6:30pm. Mark Boyle and Eddie Gill will have the play-by-play starting at 7pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan.

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Indiana

Fernando Mendoza, citing Raiders obligations, misses Indiana’s White House visit

Published

10 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Fernando Mendoza, citing Raiders obligations, misses Indiana’s White House visit

Fernando Mendoza did not attend Indiana University’s visit to the White House commemorating the Hoosiers’ college football national championship on Monday. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback said earlier this month that he would not attend if it interfered with any activities with his new team.

“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza said following a rookie minicamp practice. “I got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but I just wouldn’t. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look, and I want to try to best serve my teammates. And I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”

According to the team’s official offseason schedule, the Raiders did not have any formal practices or workouts on Monday. The team’s next organized activity is May 18, its first OTA workout.

“Fernando couldn’t be here today because, as I said, he’s now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders,” President Donald Trump said in his address. “Let’s see how good of a team they have, and I think he’s gonna do great. He’s a winner.”

Mendoza wasn’t the only absence. Center Pat Coogan and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds were among the other Hoosiers not in attendance for the event due to NFL obligations. Indiana had a program-record eight players selected in April’s NFL Draft.

Trump highlighted Mendoza’s accomplishments and contributions to the school’s first football national title. He celebrated Mendoza as Indiana’s inaugural Heisman Trophy winner and praised his fourth-quarter touchdown run in the championship game against Miami.

“He’s gonna be a good one,” Trump said.

Indiana was well-represented by returning members of the team. Charlie Becker, one of Mendoza’s go-to receivers during the College Football Playoffs, and Jamari Sharpe, whose late interception secured the title-game victory, both spoke on behalf of the school, as did head coach Curt Cignetti.

Mendoza is one of four members of the national champion Hoosiers who joined the Raiders this offseason. Running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. signed as undrafted free agents in the days following the draft. Wide receiver Jonathan Brady earned a contract after impressing as a tryout player during rookie minicamp.

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Indiana

Suspect in custody after Muncie triple shooting leaves 1 woman dead, 2 men injured

Published

22 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Suspect in custody after Muncie triple shooting leaves 1 woman dead, 2 men injured

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating a triple shooting that took place on Muncie’s south side Sunday evening that left a woman dead and two men injured.

According to police, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Muncie Police Officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of South Walnut Street in reference to reports of several people being shot.

Officers arrived and located three gunshot victims: A 23-year-old female who died from “multiple wounds,” a 39-year-old male who is hospitalized in stable condition, and a 40-year-old male who was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition.

Police say a suspect is in custody, a 21-year-old man.

Police did not provide any additional information.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Muncie Police Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or dispatch at 765-747-4838.

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Indiana

Indiana Pacers exec apologizes to fans after losing first-round pick

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Indiana Pacers exec apologizes to fans after losing first-round pick

The Indiana Pacers lost 63 games this season for a chance at a franchise-changing lottery pick. On Sunday, May 10, they lost that chance, too.

All Pacers president Kevin Pritchard could do was apologize for taking the risk.

Indiana’s pick landed at No. 5 in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, one spot outside the top four protections attached to a midseason trade. The selection now belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers .

Shortly after the results were announced, Pritchard took social media and apologized.

“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” Pritchard wrote. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck.”

The Pacers entered the lottery with a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick after finishing 19-63, the second-worst record in the NBA. It wasn’t enough.

Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick to Los Angeles in the midseason deal for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown, along with the conditional 2026 first-rounder. The pick was theirs to keep only if it landed in the top four.

Zubac appeared in just five games for Indiana after the trade because of a fractured rib.

“This team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year,” Pritchard wrote. “We have always been resillient.”

Pritchard will have to be resilient if he looks at the replies to his statement. About half of the Pacers fans’ comments were not happy, and fans of other teams called him out for “tanking.”

There were also a large number of fans who were supportive of Pritchard taking that risk.

Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return next season after tearing his Achilles in last year’s NBA Finals. The Pacers will have him Pascal Siakam and a roster they think is built to compete. They just won’t have that first-round pick to add to it.

The 2026 NBA Draft begins June 23 in Brooklyn.

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