Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers Match Player Stats: Full Box Score & Analysis

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers Match Player Stats: Full Box Score & Game Analysis

When the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers share the court, you are guaranteed a clash of contrasting styles. The Cavaliers rely heavily on their twin-tower interior presence and calculated guard play, while the Pacers thrive on blistering pace and floor-spacing.

Their recent matchups during the 2025-2026 regular season have delivered exactly that dynamic. To understand how these Eastern Conference heavyweights measure up, we need to look past the final buzzer and dig straight into the numbers. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers match player stats, focusing heavily on their nail-biting January 6, 2026 encounter, alongside historical context from their high-scoring December battle.

The Latest Clash: Cavaliers 120, Pacers 116 (January 6, 2026)

On January 6, 2026, the Cavaliers walked into Gainbridge Fieldhouse and stole a 120-116 victory in a game that tested the resilience of both rosters. Indiana controlled the tempo early, hitting from deep and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities. Entering the fourth quarter, the Pacers held a comfortable 93-84 lead.

The Turning Point: Cleveland’s Fourth-Quarter Takeover

Games are won in the margins, and Cleveland found their margin in the final twelve minutes. The Cavaliers erupted for a 36-23 fourth-quarter run, flipping a nine-point deficit into a four-point road victory. They achieved this by tightening their perimeter defense and relentlessly attacking the paint. Cleveland shot a highly efficient 56% from the field for the game, neutralizing Indiana’s 46% effort from beyond the arc.

Let’s look at the individual performances that orchestrated this finish.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Stats (Box Score Breakdown)

The Cavaliers’ box score from this matchup highlights a perfectly balanced offensive attack. With key players stepping up when it mattered most, Cleveland didn’t have to rely on a single hero to secure the win.

| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | TO |

| :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— |

| Darius Garland | 33 | 29 | 2 | 6 | 14-23 | 1-4 | 0 |

| Evan Mobley | 36 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 8-16 | 0-3 | 4 |

| Jarrett Allen | 34 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 8-13 | 0-1 | 2 |

| Sam Merrill | 31 | 19 | 4 | 2 | 6-12 | 6-10 | 1 |

| De’Andre Hunter | 22 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 5-9 | 0-1 | 5 |

| Craig Porter Jr. | 28 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 3-6 | 1-2 | 4 |

Standout Performers: Garland and Allen Anchor the Offense

Any honest reading of the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers match player stats starts with Darius Garland. He dissected the Pacers’ drop coverage to finish with 29 points on 14-of-23 shooting. More impressively, he logged six assists without committing a single turnover. Operating as a lead guard under heavy pressure, a zero-turnover game is the exact reason Cleveland completed their comeback.

Down low, Jarrett Allen was a physical force. He posted a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, shooting over 60% from the floor. His ability to secure second-chance points and anchor the defensive glass kept Indiana’s fast break grounded late in the game.

Bench Impact: Merrill’s Sharpshooting

While the starters did the heavy lifting, Sam Merrill stretched the floor to breaking point. Logging 31 minutes off the bench, Merrill drained 6 of his 10 three-point attempts, finishing with 19 points. Whenever Indiana attempted to pack the paint against Mobley and Allen, Merrill punished them from the perimeter. Additionally, Craig Porter Jr. was a revelation as a reserve, stuffing the stat sheet with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Indiana Pacers Player Stats (Box Score Breakdown)

Indiana played a brilliant offensive game for three quarters. Their ball movement was crisp, and they successfully dictated the pace. However, the stats reveal where their armor cracked down the stretch.

| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | TO |

| :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— |

| Pascal Siakam | 35 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 9-18 | 1-4 | 2 |

| Jay Huff | 31 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 8-14 | 3-5 | 1 |

| Andrew Nembhard | 30 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 5-11 | 2-4 | 3 |

| Aaron Nesmith | 33 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 4-10 | 2-6 | 1 |

| T.J. McConnell | 18 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 3-8 | 1-3 | 2 |

Standout Performers: Siakam and Huff Battle Inside

Pascal Siakam was a reliable offensive engine for Indiana, leading the team with 22 points. His midrange game was working effectively, keeping Cleveland’s frontcourt on their heels. The surprise standout for the Pacers was Jay Huff. He poured in 20 points, including three hits from beyond the arc, proving to be a difficult matchup for Cleveland’s traditional big men when he drifted to the perimeter.

Andrew Nembhard executed his role as a floor general beautifully, dishing out a game-high 11 assists and ensuring the ball found the hot hand.

Where the Pacers Fell Short: Rebounding and Turnovers

If you want to know why Indiana lost a nine-point fourth-quarter lead, look at the rebounding column. The Pacers were obliterated on the glass. By the end of the night, Indiana secured only 32 total rebounds compared to Cleveland’s 48. Giving a highly efficient Cavaliers offense 16 extra possessions via rebounding differential is a recipe for a blown lead.

Team Stats Comparison: The Tale of the Tape

Looking at the team-level metrics clarifies exactly how the distinct playstyles clashed on January 6.

Metric	Cleveland Cavaliers	Indiana Pacers
Field Goal %	56.0% (49-88)	46.0% (43-93)
3-Point %	38.5% (10-26)	46.0% (16-35)
Total Rebounds	48	32
Assists	33	24
Points in Paint	64	42
Turnovers	19	14

Indiana actually won the turnover battle (committing just 14 to Cleveland’s 19) and shot the three-ball significantly better. But Cleveland’s dominance inside—outscoring Indiana 64-42 in the paint—and their massive rebounding advantage allowed them to control the physical terms of engagement.

Flashback to December 2025: Mitchell’s 43-Point Masterpiece

To fully grasp the dynamic between these two teams, we must also look at their earlier clash on December 1, 2025. In that matchup, the Cavaliers ran the Pacers out of the gym with a 135-119 victory.

The story of that game was Donovan Mitchell. While resting during the January game, Mitchell was unstoppable in December, erupting for 43 points on 16-of-27 shooting. He added 9 rebounds and 6 assists, completely dismantling Indiana’s point-of-attack defense. Jaylon Tyson also had a breakout game, posting 27 points and 11 rebounds on an incredibly efficient 10-of-13 shooting night.

How the Cavs Dominated the Glass… Again

A recurring theme in this divisional rivalry is rebounding. In the December matchup, Cleveland again outrebounded Indiana 48-36. The Pacers operate at the third-fastest pace in the NBA, which generates transition scoring but leaves them highly vulnerable to defensive rebounding lapses. Cleveland has identified this weakness and repeatedly punished Indiana by sending multiple bodies to the offensive glass, generating backbreaking second-chance points.

Tactical Takeaways: What This Matchup Tells Us About the East

Analyzing the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers match player stats reveals a clear stylistic contrast that will have massive implications if these teams meet in the playoffs.

1. Pace vs. Power: Indiana wants a track meet. When they score over 116 points, their win percentage spikes. Cleveland, conversely, wants to drag the game into the mud, utilizing Mobley and Allen to lock down the paint. Whichever team dictates the tempo usually wins the game.
2. The Garland Factor: Without Donovan Mitchell on the floor in January, Darius Garland proved he can shoulder the offensive load and close out tight games against premium opposition. His ability to score 29 points without a single turnover is a testament to his elite decision-making.
3. Indiana’s Frontcourt Vulnerability: If the Pacers are going to make a deep run, they have to address their rebounding. Being out-rebounded by margins of 12 and 16 in back-to-back matchups against Cleveland proves that schematic changes or roster adjustments are required to secure the defensive boards.

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