The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped a heartbreaker in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Indiana Pacers to go down 2-0 in the series.
The Cavs were up by 14 points going into the fourth quarter but lost 120-119 thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s late-game heroics that were capped by a stepback 3-pointer from the top of the key after his missed free throw.
Analyst Brian Windhorst ripped into the Cavs, saying there is no excuse to blow a lead of that magnitude at home.
“They are up 14 points going into the fourth quarter of this game. No matter what happens with the injuries, they’ve got a 14-point lead. I don’t care what players you have on the court. If you have a 14-point lead on your home court going into the fourth quarter, gotta win,” Windhorst said, via ESPN Cleveland.
"I don't care what players you have on the court, if you have a 14 point lead on your homecourt going into the 4th quarter, gotta win," – @WindhorstESPN on last night's Cavs collapse.
Agree? pic.twitter.com/HwuVURfud0
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 7, 2025
There is no way around it, and Windhorst is right.
Donovan Mitchell did everything he could in the absence of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter, pouring in 48 points.
It wasn’t enough, as the Cavs not only blew the big lead but also squandered a seven-point advantage with just 47 seconds remaining.
After dropping the first two games of a series at home, it may be time to panic, especially when three of Cleveland’s best players are injured.
It now has to win at least three games at Indiana to win the series, which is a daunting task given how raucous that Pacers’ home crowd can be.
Cavs fans are holding out hope that Garland, Mobley and Hunter can get healthy ahead of Game 3, because it is must-win time.
NEXT: Stephen A. Smith Calls Out Cavs Star Ahead Of Game 3
