On Sunday May 4th, 2025, at 6 pm eastern time, the Eastern Conference top seed Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the 4th seed Indiana Pacers for game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semi Finals Series at the Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland Ohio. The Cavaliers swept the Miami Heat in their opening round playoff series last Monday. The Indiana Pacers eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games last Tuesday. Guard Darius Garland was listed as questionable for the Cavaliers. Garland did not play in this game. Out for the Pacers was Isaiah Jackson with an Achilles Injury. The Cleveland Cavaliers were trying to pick up were they left off after sweeping the Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

In the first quarter the game was played even, but a late run by the Pacers gave them a 36-25 lead over the Cavaliers to end the first quarter. In the second quarter the Cavaliers did cut into the Pacers lead, but the Cavaliers still trailed the Pacers at halftime 64-58. In the third quarter the Cavaliers fought back to take the lead. But after three quarters of play the Cavaliers trailed the Pacers 92-90. In the fourth and final quarter the Pacers added to their lead and handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss of the 2025 post season 121-112.

The Cavaliers’ leading scorer was Donovan Mitchell with 33 points in 34 minutes. Evan Mobley had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 36 minutes of play. Up next for the Cleveland Cavaliers is hosting the Indiana Pacers for game two of this series on Tuesday May 6th, 2025. 7 pm eastern time, at the Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland Ohio. This Cavaliers team will be trying to tie the series at one win for each team. If they don’t do that, it could be too big of a hole to climb out of for this team.