The Indiana Pacers are now headed to their second straight Eastern Conference finals after taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their NBA playoff second-round series on Tuesday.
Despite a formidable effort from the Cavs, it was still Indiana that came out on top, 114-105, as it ended the series, 4-1.
Not even Donovan Mitchell's return from injury was enough to rescue the Cavs from this one. The six-time All-Star was forced to exit Game 4 due to a sprained left ankle, but he was able to give it a go in Game 5.
Mitchell finished with a game-high 35 points on 8-of-25 shooting, to go along with nine rebounds, an assist, two steals, a block and four triples in 38 minutes of action.
It still wasn't enough.
Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles the ball.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Shortly after the final buzzer, Mitchell was seen having words with Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who went off for 31 points and eight assists to lead Indiana to the victory.
The two superstars exchanged pleasantries after the game as they commended each other for a hard-fought series.
It is unclear what was said between Mitchell and Haliburton, but there's no denying that there's nothing but respect between these two All-Stars.
Unfortunately for Mitchell, his season now comes to a heartbreaking end. The Cavs secured the best record in the East during the regular season after winning 64 games, which had them entering the playoffs as the No. 1 seed.
Haliburton and the Pacers, on the other hand, live to fight another day. They will now await the winner of the Boston Celtics-New York Knicks series to determine their opponents in the East finals.