With only 57 seconds left in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers, Donovan Mitchell sank crucial free throws, bringing the Cavaliers to a 119-112 lead, marking a potential pinnacle in his Cavaliers journey.

However, only two teams have lost a playoff game when leading by seven points or more in the final minute. Following Mitchell’s shots, it seemed he was on course for victory alongside his teammates — who were notably absent due to injuries — until a tumultuous series of events unfolded.

The crucial question arises, what went wrong for the Cavaliers in those final seconds? Let’s delve into six mistakes that unraveled their win.

Mistake No. 1: Nesmith’s thunderous put back
With 48 seconds left, Jarrett Allen committed a foul against Pascal Siakam who subsequently missed two free throws. However, Aaron Nesmith capitalized on the second miss with a faultless clutch dunk, overshadowing Mitchell’s efforts.

Mistake No. 2: Mitchell’s offensive foul
Attempting to evade Tyrese Haliburton, Mitchell caused a turnover by elbowing Nesmith in the face while gathering the inbound pass. This was pivotal as it forced Head Coach Kenny Atkinson to substitute him for defense.

Mistake No. 3: The un-corralled rebound
In a critical moment, Haliburton’s drive into the paint was met with a block from Allen. But none of the Cavaliers claimed the loose ball, granting the Pacers a fresh possession.

Mistake No. 4: The costly turnover
Atkinson’s decision to take Mitchell off led to complications as Cleveland called a timeout to return him. Unfortunately, this was their last timeout, presenting a significant hurdle later on. The subsequent inbounding play lacked the finesse of Carlisle’s game plan that previously secured the Pacers’ opportunities.

Mistake No. 5: Haliburton gets his own missed free throw
With seconds winding down, Haliburton was fouled again and made crucial errors following his free throw attempt which allowed him an open chance to secure the game-winning shot, further highlighting Cleveland’s disorder.

Mistake No. 6: Being out of timeouts
Ultimately, the absence of timeouts played a definitive role in the game’s outcome, leaving Cleveland with no chance to effectively strategize following Haliburton’s last-second shot, leading to their disappointing loss in this elimination series.

As the Cavaliers review this game, they will reflect on how critical game management often defines playoff outcomes.