• Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning three-pointer capped off a stunning Pacers comeback from a seven-point deficit in the final minute.
• Donovan Mitchell scored 48 points for the Cavaliers but made crucial errors down the stretch, including an offensive foul and a missed rebound.
• The Cavaliers' late-game execution faltered due to a combination of Mitchell's exhaustion, strategic errors, and the Pacers' timely plays.

The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a devastating 120-119 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, falling behind 2-0 in the series. Despite a herculean 48-point effort from Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers collapsed in the final minute, surrendering a seven-point lead. A series of miscues, including an offensive foul by Mitchell, missed free throws, and defensive breakdowns, allowed the Pacers to capitalize. Haliburton hit a clutch 3-pointer with one second left.

• What: The Indiana Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-119 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals after overcoming a seven-point deficit in the final minute of the game. Key moments included a missed free throw by Haliburton, Haliburton's offensive rebound, and then Haliburton's subsequent game-winning three-point shot.
• Who: Key players include Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Max Strus (Cavaliers), Aaron Nesmith (Pacers), Pascal Siakam (Pacers), Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers), and Kenny Atkinson (Cavaliers coach).
• When: The game took place on May 6, 2025. The critical final minute of the game began with 57.1 seconds remaining.
• Where: The game was played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers' loss underscores the importance of late-game execution and depth, particularly in the playoffs. Mitchell's outstanding performance was ultimately overshadowed by a series of errors compounded by the absence of key players like Mobley, Garland, and Hunter. The Pacers, conversely, demonstrated resilience and capitalized on Cleveland's mistakes. Cleveland's inability to secure crucial rebounds and make smart decisions with the ball in the final minute proved fatal. The pressure now shifts to the Cavaliers as they head to Indianapolis, facing a 2-0 deficit.

"I should have grabbed the ball. I should've grabbed it. I was right there, so ... that's on me."

"I'm banged up, but we all are. It is what it is."

The Cavaliers' Game 2 loss was a bitter pill to swallow, turning a potential series-tying victory into a daunting 2-0 deficit. While Donovan Mitchell's performance was remarkable, late-game errors and the Pacers' clutch play proved decisive. Cleveland now faces an uphill battle as they head to Indianapolis, needing to regroup and address their execution issues to avoid falling further behind in the series. The health of injured players will also be a critical factor moving forward.