Darius Garland’s 14 Fourth Quarter Points Fuel Cavaliers Win as Pacers Hit Franchise Record 13th Loss
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a thrilling 120-116 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, largely thanks to an offensive explosion from Darius Garland. With All Star guard Donovan Mitchell resting for the night, Garland took complete control of the offense by scoring a game high 29 points on 14 of 23 shooting from the field. The most incredible stat from the night was Garland scoring 14 of those 29 points in the fourth quarter alone, where he went a perfect 7 for 7 from the floor. His late game heroics fueled a decisive 13-0 run that allowed Cleveland to erase a nine point deficit and silence the home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
A Historic Losing Streak for Indiana
While the Cavaliers celebrated their fourth win in five games, the Indiana Pacers fell further into a historic slump. This 120-116 loss marked the Pacers' 13th consecutive defeat, officially setting a new franchise record for the longest losing streak in the team's NBA era. Indiana now holds a league worst 6-31 record and is just one loss away from matching the longest skid of the season. Despite a strong performance from Pascal Siakam, who led the team with 22 points, and a double double of 15 points and 11 assists from Andrew Nembhard, the Pacers could not withstand Cleveland's late game execution without their own star Tyrese Haliburton.
Supporting Cast and Key Statistical Milestones
Beyond Garlands heroics, several other Cavaliers players stepped up to secure the win. Evan Mobley contributed 20 points, while Jarrett Allen anchored the interior with a double double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Sharp shooter Sam Merrill was also vital, connecting on 6 of 10 three pointers to finish with 19 points of his own. Collectively, the Cavaliers shot a blistering 55.7% from the field and recorded 33 assists on 49 made baskets. This win brings Clevelands season record to 21-17, moving them closer to the top tier of the Eastern Conference standings as they prepare for their next matchup in Minnesota.