The Indiana Pacers triumphed over adversity Sunday night, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109 in Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series, despite losing guard Bennedict Mathurin to a first-quarter ejection. The victory gives the Pacers a commanding 3-1 lead as they head to Cleveland for Game 5 on Wednesday (12:00 AM BST), where a win would secure their second consecutive conference final appearance.
Mathurin was ejected with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter after striking Cavaliers’ De’Andre Hunter in the chest. At the time, Indiana led 22-10, and they continued to dominate, closing the quarter 38-23. The Pacers then erupted for a 42-16 second-quarter rout, amassing a franchise playoff record of 80 points in the first half, leading 80-39 at the break.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 21 points, while Myles Turner and Obi Toppin each contributed 20, rebounding from a 126-104 loss in Game 3. “This is a group that plays better through adversity,” Turner said. “We got punched in the mouth last game, and we had a hell of a response.”
The Cavaliers’ hopes dimmed further when six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell exited in the second half with an ankle injury. The 28-year-old is scheduled for an MRI on Monday to determine his availability for Game 5.