Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers entered Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night, May 9, facing a crucial Game 3 in their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup. Down 0-2 to the Indiana Pacers, the pressure was on Mitchell to deliver big, just as he did in Game 2, when he dropped a blistering 48 points to nearly carry the Cavs to victory.
He came into the night averaging 29.3 points across six playoff games, and Cleveland needed every bit of that firepower to stay alive. Meanwhile, the Pacers were brimming with confidence, having used their depth to steal Game 1 and then stun the Cavs in Game 2 with a last-second three from Tyrese Haliburton.
Playing at home and with momentum on their side, Indiana had all the advantage, except for one looming question: could Spida spoil the party? Check out Mitchell’s stats.
Donovan Mitchell vs. Indiana Pacers Game 3 Stats
| Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 43 | 9 | 5 | 48.3% | 38.5% |
Mitchell vs. Pacers: How Did Mitchell Perform in Game 3
The Cavaliers walked into Indiana and came out with a statement 126-104 victory, and once again, Donovan Mitchell was the driving force behind it.
Right from the jump, Mitchell looked locked in. He carried the same aggressive energy we saw in Game 2, and you could tell early on that the Pacers were in for a long night. By halftime, he already had 17 points, five boards, and three dimes to his name, shooting 7-of-15 from the field and 2-of-5 from deep. That was just the warm-up.
It was the second half when Mitchell truly shifted gears. He poured in 26 more points after the break, finishing the night with a game-high 43 points. His final stat line was elite: 14-of-29 from the field, 5-of-13 from 3, and 10-of-14 from the line. On top of that, he added nine rebounds and five assists, showing he wasn’t just scoring but impacting the game across the board.
What stood out most was how he picked apart Indiana’s defense. If there were any doubts about his playoff form, he erased them with this performance. Three games in, and Spida has now dropped 124 points. The Pacers better find an answer fast because Mitchell’s just getting started.
Mitchell Delivers a Jaw-Dropping Bucket
Early in the first half, Spida gave fans a taste of what was coming. He put Tyrese Haliburton on skates with a slick spin move, then soared toward the basket.
THIS FINISH FROM DONOVAN MITCHELL IS UNREAL. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 9, 2025
Just when it looked like he was going for a dunk, Mitchell adjusted mid-air to finish over Myles Turner with a tough, acrobatic layup. It was a high-difficulty shot, but Mitchell made it look easy, setting the tone for a big night.
Mitchell vs. Pacers: Head-to-Head Stats 2024-2025
The Cavaliers’ star guard has always had a knack for stepping up against the Pacers; his career numbers reflect that. Over 17 games, he’s averaged 27.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. While those numbers are solid, it’s this season that he’s really turned heads.
Mitchell has been on fire in the 2024-2025 season when facing the Pacers. In the four games he played, his averages jumped to 33.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. These numbers clearly indicate his increased impact this year, showing that he’s not just playing at a high level but doing so consistently against one of his regular playoff foes.
Mitchell’s performance in the 2025 playoffs has been particularly impressive. In the first two games of the second round this year, Mitchell combined for an impressive 81 points. This shows just how much he’s stepped up, playing a crucial role in keeping his team in the fight and proving his ability to dominate when the stakes are high.
These numbers underscore how much he’s raised his game when it counts most, offering a glimpse into his potential to carry the Cavs through this series.
His four-game stats against the Pacers in the 2024-25 season:
- May 6, 2025: 48 PTS, 5 REB, 9 AST
- May 4, 2025: 33 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
- Jan 14, 2025: 35 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST
- Jan 12, 2025: 19 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST