Cavaliers Edge Pacers to Secure Playoff Spot

The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched a playoff berth with a 114‑98 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Rocket Arena on Sunday, April 5, 2026. The win moved the Cavs a step closer to home‑court advantage in the East.

Key Moments

• Indiana opened the game shooting 6‑of‑8 from three‑point range, but Cleveland steadied the tide in the second half.
• Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 28 points, while Jarrett Allen, sidelined with a right‑knee issue, was absent.
• Cleveland played a shortened lineup, sitting Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley (calf), Sam Merrill (hamstring) and others.

Injury Landscape

Both teams entered the contest shorthanded. The Pacers were missing Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) and several role players, while the Cavaliers listed five players on the injury report, forcing coach J.B. Bickerstaff to rely heavily on bench depth.

Standings Impact

The victory solidified Cleveland’s 45‑37 record, keeping them in the top four of the Eastern Conference and preserving a chance to clinch a higher seed with a win in the final regular‑season games.