Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers Match Player Stats & Box Score 2026

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

When the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers clash, you can usually expect a gritty, high-octane battle. Ever since the Pacers bounced the top-seeded Cavs from the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals, these matchups have carried extra weight. Their January 6, 2026 showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis was no exception.

The Cavaliers walked away with a hard-fought 120-116 victory, using a massive fourth-quarter surge to erase an Indiana lead. But a final score rarely tells the whole story. To understand how Cleveland pulled off the road win, we have to dig into the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers match player stats, looking at the individual duels, the battles in the paint, and the late-game heroics.

Here is the complete breakdown of the player statistics, team metrics, and key performances that defined this Eastern Conference thriller.

Unpacking the Cavaliers’ 120-116 Comeback Win (January 6, 2026)

For three quarters, the Indiana Pacers dictated the tempo. They shot efficiently from deep, capitalized on Cleveland’s mistakes, and entered the final period with a 93-84 lead. Indiana looked poised to defend their home court.

The Fourth-Quarter Flip That Sealed the Game

Basketball is a game of runs, and Cleveland saved their best for last. The Cavaliers flipped the script in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Pacers 36-23. The defensive rotations tightened, and on the offensive end, Cleveland found high-percentage looks near the rim while Indiana’s perimeter shooting suddenly went cold.

Rather than settling for contested jumpers, Cleveland relentlessly attacked the basket, taking advantage of their superior size. That tactical shift turned a nine-point deficit into a four-point victory.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Stats: A Balanced Attack

Cleveland’s win wasn’t the result of one player dropping 50 points. It was a methodical, balanced effort from their starting five and key rotational pieces.

Here are the primary player stats for the Cavaliers:

Player	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FG	3PT
Darius Garland	33	29	2	6	14/23	1/4
Evan Mobley	36	20	6	5	8/16	0/3
Jarrett Allen	34	19	12	4	8/13	0/1
Sam Merrill	31	19	4	2	6/12	6/10
De’Andre Hunter	22	12	9	2	5/9	0/1
Craig Porter Jr.	28	8	9	9	3/6	1/2

Darius Garland’s Masterclass Down the Stretch

Any honest reading of the box score starts with Darius Garland. He finished with a game-high 29 points on a highly efficient 14-of-23 shooting from the field.

What makes Garland’s performance stand out isn’t just the scoring volume; it’s the timing. He scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter alone, repeatedly breaking down Indiana’s perimeter defense to get into the mid-range and the paint. Just as importantly, as the primary ball-handler logging heavy minutes in a tight game, he dished out 6 assists while committing zero turnovers. That level of ball security under pressure is exactly what fuels a successful fourth-quarter comeback.

Owning the Paint: Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley

While Garland handled the perimeter, Cleveland’s frontcourt bullied Indiana inside. The twin tower pairing of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley combined for 39 points and 18 rebounds.

Allen was an anchor on the glass, pulling down 12 rebounds (including 3 offensive boards) to go with his 19 points. Mobley added 20 points and showcased his playmaking ability by distributing 5 assists. Their interior presence forced the Pacers to collapse their defense, which opened up the floor for Cleveland’s shooters.

Sam Merrill Provides the Spark

Every good team needs a secondary scorer who can stretch the floor, and Sam Merrill played that role perfectly. Merrill dropped 19 points, doing almost all of his damage from beyond the arc. He shot an incredibly efficient 6-for-10 from three-point range. Whenever Indiana threatened to build an insurmountable lead in the middle quarters, a timely Merrill three kept Cleveland within striking distance.

Indiana Pacers Player Stats: Strong Starts, Stalled Finishes

The Pacers played a great 36 minutes of basketball. They spread the ball well, found open shooters, and converted transition opportunities. However, their offense stagnated in the closing minutes.

Here are the primary player stats for the Pacers:

Player	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FG	3PT
Pascal Siakam	35	22	4	3	9/23	0/1
Jay Huff	31	20	2	2	7/10	4/7
Andrew Nembhard	30	15	1	11	6/12	1/2
Aaron Nesmith	33	14	8	4	5/17	3/7
Johnny Furphy	31	9	11	2	4/6	1/3

Pascal Siakam Leads the Charge

Pascal Siakam was Indiana’s primary offensive engine, finishing with a team-high 22 points. He used his footwork and length to create mismatches, though Cleveland’s defense made him work for every bucket, holding him to 9-of-23 shooting. While he produced points, the Cavaliers successfully limited his efficiency, preventing him from completely taking over the game.

Jay Huff and Andrew Nembhard Keep the Offense Humming

The brightest spots for the Pacers came from Jay Huff and Andrew Nembhard. Huff was a revelation off the bench, scoring 20 points in 31 minutes. He was highly disruptive as a stretch big, hitting 4 of his 7 attempts from deep, forcing Cleveland’s big men away from the basket.

Meanwhile, Andrew Nembhard played the role of floor general brilliantly. He recorded a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 11 assists. Nembhard consistently found shooters in the pocket and hit cutters in stride, proving why he is such a vital piece of Indiana’s backcourt rotation.

Tale of the Tape: Key Team Stats Comparison

Sometimes, individual heroics are canceled out by team-wide statistical trends. When you look at the team stats, Cleveland’s physical advantages become glaringly obvious.

• Field Goal Percentage: Cleveland shot a scorching 56% (49-88) from the floor. Indiana managed a respectable, but lower, 46% (43-93).
• Three-Point Shooting: Indiana won the math game on the perimeter, hitting 16 threes to Cleveland’s 10.
• Total Rebounds: Cleveland dominated the glass, pulling down 48 rebounds compared to Indiana’s 32.
• Points in the Paint: The Cavaliers outscored the Pacers inside by a massive 64-42 margin.

Rebounding Dominance vs. Turnover Troubles

If there is one area Cleveland needs to clean up, it’s ball security. The Cavaliers committed 19 turnovers, gifting Indiana extra possessions. Typically, a team that turns the ball over 19 times on the road loses the game.

However, Cleveland compensated for this sloppiness through sheer force on the glass. Out-rebounding an opponent by 16 boards—and generating a 64-42 advantage in the paint—means you are effectively ending the opponent’s possessions after one shot while extending your own. The Cavaliers didn’t win because they played a perfect game; they won because they were bigger, stronger, and more relentless near the rim.

Looking Ahead: Eastern Conference Implications

This January 2026 matchup served as a heavy reminder of how tight the Eastern Conference hierarchy is. The Cavaliers proved they have the mental fortitude to execute late-game comebacks on the road, leaning on Darius Garland’s clutch decision-making and their formidable frontcourt.

For the Pacers, the loss highlights a vulnerability in their interior defense and rebounding. While their fast-paced, three-point-heavy style is incredibly dangerous, they can be worn down by bigger, more physical teams in the fourth quarter. As both teams jockey for playoff seeding, this specific physical dynamic will be the blueprint for how they attack one another moving forward.