In a thrilling upset, the Indiana Pacers stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, 111-102, despite the absence of their star guard Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers overcame a 13-point deficit in the second half to secure the victory.

Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ leading scorer and assist leader, sat out the game with a right elbow sprain. Without their star guard, the Pacers relied on a balanced scoring effort, with six players scoring in double figures.

Buddy Hield led the way with 22 points, followed by Andrew Nembhard’s 19 points and Myles Turner’s 17 points. The Pacers also benefited from strong bench contributions, as Jalen Smith scored 15 points and Isaiah Jackson added 11 points.

While the Pacers’ offense was firing on all cylinders in the second half, the Cavaliers struggled to find their rhythm. Cleveland shot just 39.3% from the field, including 29.6% from three-point range.

Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 24 points, but he was inefficient, shooting 8-of-25 from the field. Jarrett Allen contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell added 15 points.

The Pacers’ offense exploded in the second half, outscoring the Cavaliers 63-47. The Pacers shot 54.9% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range in the final two quarters.

Buddy Hield and Andrew Nembhard were particularly effective in the second half, combining for 31 points. The Pacers also took advantage of the Cavaliers’ poor shooting, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds.

The Pacers’ victory over the Cavaliers highlights the importance of team chemistry and adaptability. Despite the absence of their star player, the Pacers were able to come together and find success.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers’ loss exposes their reliance on Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. When these two players are not performing well, the Cavaliers struggle to generate offense.

The Pacers’ stunning upset over the Cavaliers is a testament to their resilience and depth. The Pacers have now won four of their last five games and are currently 20-19 on the season.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have lost three of their last four games and are now 26-15 on the season. The Cavaliers will need to find a way to improve their offensive consistency if they want to contend for the Eastern Conference title.