Despite their reputation for offensive prowess, the Cleveland Cavaliers—who boasted a top seed in the NBA playoffs—unexpectedly exited in the second round against the Indiana Pacers, leading to a disappointing end of the season for both the team and owner Dan Gilbert. Gilbert invested over $500,000 in fake snow machines meant to activate during impressive scoring runs, commonly referred to as the “Cavalanche”. However, these machines only operated on one occasion before the team’s playoff dreams vanished. This loss is particularly stark given the team’s prior successes, including a sweep of the Miami Heat in the first round. Gilbert expressed confidence in the team’s future, noting their potential and the growth of their young roster.

“Cavs fans, I know it’s heartbreaking. But the good news is, we have a talented young core that will learn from this and continue to get better. We appreciate your incredible support all season long. It’s not how we wanted it to end, but I promise you we will do everything…” — Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) May 14, 2025.

This marks the Cavaliers’ second consecutive year of second-round playoff exits, despite finishing first in both points per game and offensive ratings during the regular season.