Cavaliers rally late for 120-116 win while handing the Pacers a franchise-record 13th straight loss

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr., left, shoots after going around Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Indiana Pacers guard Johnny Furphy (12) pulls in a rebound in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) — Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr., left, shoots after going around Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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6:49 PM on Tuesday, January 6

By MICHAEL MAROT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Darius Garland scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, fueling a late 13-point run that sent the Cleveland Cavaliers past the struggling Indiana Pacers 120-116 on Tuesday for their fourth win in five games.

Indiana, the defending Eastern Conference champs, lost its 13th straight to set a franchise record in its NBA era. The Pacers are now a league-worst 6-31 and are one loss away from matching the Washington Wizards' 14-game skid for the league's longest skid this season.

The Cavs weren't even at full strength in this one.

Coach Kenny Atkinson gave All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell a day off just hours after team officials announced Max Strus was expected to miss at least another month because of a left foot injury. Atkinson said that the updated timeline was not because Strus had suffered a setback. Cleveland also lost forward Dean Wade in the first half with a bruised left knee.

And yet, Cleveland managed to erase the nine-point deficit they faced entering the fourth quarter. Evan Mobley had 20 points while Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each scored 19. Merrill went 6 of 10 on 3-pointers.

Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 22 points and Jay Huff tied his season high with 20 points, going 7 of 10 from the field wand 4 of 7 on 3s. Andrew Nembhard had 15 points and 11 assists. Indiana played without center Isaiah Jackson, swingman Bennedict Mathurin, forward Obi Toppin and All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton because of injuries.

Indiana still had a chance to force overtime in the waning seconds, but couldn't tie the score as the game turned into a free-throw contest.

The loss also delayed coach Rick Carlisle's 1,000th win for yet two more days.

Up next

Cavaliers: Visit Minnesota on Thursday.

Pacers: Travel to Charlotte on Thursday.

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