The Indiana Pacers 121-112 upset over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Haliburton answered his critics in emphatic fashion, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 121-112 upset over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The dynamic guard tallied 22 points, 13 assists, and key defensive stops — including a clutch go-ahead 3-pointer that sparked a decisive 15-4 fourth-quarter run.

Labeled the NBA’s most overrated player in a recent anonymous poll, Haliburton dismissed the noise, saying, “We’re definitely the heavy underdog, but we’re trying to control what we can.” Despite hitting just 2 of 6 from deep, his final triple proved crucial after the Cavs briefly took a late lead. Andrew Nembhard added 23 points and drilled two timely threes during the Pacers' closing surge. Indiana shot 19-of-36 from beyond the arc to seize early momentum in the best-of-seven series.