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Four stars from Tuesday's NBA playoff games
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates his game-winning three-point basket in the fourth quarter during Game 2 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. David Richard-Imagn Images

Four stars from Tuesday's NBA playoff games

Road teams remained undefeated in the second round of the NBA playoffs Tuesday, as the Indiana Pacers shocked the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors downed the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis. 

Here are four stars from Tuesday night's second-round action:

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton | 19 points, nine rebounds, zero turnovers

The Cavaliers took a big early lead on the Pacers Tuesday night, but that lead wasn't big enough. Haliburton scored eight of his 19 points in the final 84 seconds of Indiana's 120-119 win, giving it a 2-0 lead in its second-round series.

With his team trailing by three in the final seconds, Haliburton drew a foul and made his first free throw. When he missed the second, he corralled the offensive rebounds, dribbled behind the three-point line and sank the game-winner.

Haliburton may not have scored early, especially during a furious first quarter where the Cavaliers outscored the Pacers, 32-15, but he minimized his mistakes, delivered four assists and put up the dagger shot when it mattered most.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell | 48 points, nine assists, four steals

Playing without two starters and Cleveland's top reserve, Donovan Mitchell took on the offensive burden for the Cavaliers. The Pacers couldn't stop Mitchell on his drives, which led to the All-Star taking 21 free throws and making 17 of them and making 15 field goals in the game.

When the Pacers resorted to double teams, Mitchell found his teammates for nine assists. This pass to Max Strus for a late three-pointer would have iced the game without Haliburton's late heroics — and a tough offensive foul call on Mitchell in the final seconds.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green | 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists

Draymond Green hit four three-pointers in the first half, giving the Warriors a first-half cushion they needed without Stephen Curry for much of the game in the Warriors' 99-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The anchor of the Warriors defense helped the team hold the Timberwolves to 88 points — two days after holding the Houston Rockets to 89 in their Game 7 win.

But Green also took advantage of a Timberwolves defense that continually gave him space. He didn't just make open threes, he drove to the hoop for easy dunks.

He also created dunks for his teammates.

Green's defense has been crucial for the Warriors all throughout his championship era. Tuesday night, his often-underrated offensive contributions (eight assists) were very necessary.

Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield | 24 points, five 3PM, eight rebounds

On a night where Warriors head coach Steve Kerr leaned on 12 players with Curry injured, Hield was the supporting player who stepped up the most. After an 0-for-7 start, Hield exploded for five three-pointers and 22 points in the second half, doing his best Curry impersonation to build a big lead on the Wolves.

Curry is the most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history, but Hield is a pretty good substitute, ranking 16th on the all-time list and finishing second in the NBA in threes for four straight seasons from 2019-23. But what stood out even more Tuesday night was Hield's toughness. He grabbed eight rebounds, got to the foul line for five free throws and held up when the Timberwolves targeted him defensively.

When the Timberwolves threatened late, it was a big shot from Hield that finally shut the door on their comeback. He might not be Curry, but he broke Minnesota's hearts just like the Baby-Faced Assassin would have.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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