Pacers oust top-seeded Cavs as Nuggets face NBA play-offs exit

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Five of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. [AFP]

The Indiana Pacers came from behind to send the Cleveland Cavaliers crashing out of the NBA playoffs on Tuesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a dazzling Nikola Jokic display to push the Denver Nuggets to the brink of elimination.

Cleveland -- the top seeds in the Eastern Conference -- saw their postseason come to an abrupt halt after Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points to power the Pacers to a 114-105 victory, sealing a 4-1 series triumph.