Former IU basketball star Thomas Bryant only played 11 minutes off the bench Tuesday as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105 to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
But Bryant’s contributions did not go unnoticed.
The Pacers had built some momentum in the third quarter, quickly turning a nine-point deficit into a one-point lead. But they needed their bench to keep things rolling. And Bryant delivered upon checking in for Myles Turner with 7:04 left in the third.
The 27-year-old produced nine points, three rebounds and a steal over the remainder of the third, and the Pacers extended their lead to nine going into the fourth.
“Thomas Bryant in the second half gave us some of the greatest minutes you can ask of a backup center,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told the assembled media after the game.
Bryant hasn’t had a major role with the Pacers this season. He’s played just 15.1 minutes per game and averaged 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds — both his best marks since the 2022-23 campaign.
But just like his performance on Tuesday in Cleveland, Bryant’s presence on the Pacers has contributed to winning. Indiana was 11-15 (.423) before Bryant first played for the Pacers on Dec. 15, and 39-17 (.696) after his arrival from Miami.
With the New York Knicks leading the Boston Celtics 3-1 in the other Eastern Conference semifinal, there is now a very high likelihood Bryant will be facing his former IU teammate and good friend OG Anunoby in the Eastern Conference Finals. Both players left Indiana for the NBA following the 2016-17 season.
Thomas Bryant 9 Points, 3 Rebs, 4/6 FG full highlight vs Cavaliers – Game 5 pic.twitter.com/cfwrgwbBG0
— NBA Showtime (@NBAShowtime12) May 14, 2025
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