Player Grades: Cavs vs Pacers – Cavs backourt leads the way

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 5: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on April 5, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers on Easter Sunday.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player. Donovan Mitchell 38 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal This was the Donovan Mitchell show. He set the tone immediately by attacking the paint on every other possession.

Mitchell ended the game with a career-high 28 points in the paint, 38 points total before rolling his ankle in the closing minutes. Let’s hope he’s okay. Grade: A+ James Harden 28 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block Harden stepped back and buried countless jumpers over the Pacers today.

There aren’t many moves in the league that are more unguardable than that. Indiana looked hopeless trying to contain him — especially when Harden was using his gravity to create openings for his teammates. He finished the game hitting 5-11 three-pointers, giving the Cavs enough offensive juice to get over the hump.