These are the NBA playoffs of survival, where not even the stars are safe. The latest huge blow to this postseason: Jayson Tatum was wheeled off Monday night, his season over and now his 2025-26 season with the Boston Celtics in doubt because of a torn Achilles.

The Pacers won Games 1, 2 and 5 at Rocket Mortgage Arena to help secure their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana needed to battle back from a 12-point first-quarter deficit. Tyrese Haliburton's three-point shooting played a huge role in clawing back into the game.

The Cavaliers won 64 games and captured the East's top seed. While a second-round exit is disappointing, Cleveland shouldn't do anything drastic.

What to know: Cleveland is in a world of hurt. It played without star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell (ankle) for the second half of Sunday's Game 4, a blowout defeat. Indiana plastered the Cavs, and was up 80-39 at halftime. The top-seed in the East is now down 3-1, heading back home for Game 5.

The Pacers shook off a cold first quarter, surging to beat the Cavaliers 114-109 in the deciding Game 5 on Tuesday. After the game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle gave his team credit for knocking off one of the NBA's top contenders.

In a back-and-forth potential close-out game, the Indiana Pacers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105 on Tuesday, eliminating the East’s top-seeded team on their home floor by winning the series 4-1.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to clinch the Western Conference second round over the visiting Golden State Warriors when they meet Wednesday in Game 5.

The NBA Playoffs continue tonight with two crucial Game 5s! First, the Cleveland Cavaliers try to stave off elimination against the Indiana Pacers. Then the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder battle for an ultra-valuable 3-2 series lead.