INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers tied an NBA playoff record by building a 41-point halftime lead Sunday in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against top-seeded Cleveland.
The 80-39 lead matched the previous mark set by the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2017 conference finals against Boston, according to Sportradar. And the Pacers did it despite having one of their top scorers, Bennedict Mathurin, ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul less than eight minutes into the game.
It’s also the 10th time in playoff history any team has scored 80 points in a half. Oklahoma City did it most recently, with 87 points in Game 2 against Denver earlier this week.
The Pacers dominated the first two quarters, shooting 60% from the field and making 12 of 18 3-pointers while posting 25 assists. Cleveland shot 25% from the field, had only three assists and only three players with more than one made basket.
Indiana tied the record on Aaron Nesmith's buzzer-beating mid-range jumper to close the half.
The Pacers hold a 2-1 lead in the series, which moves to Cleveland on Tuesday for Game 5.
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Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) in the second half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana Pacers center Thomas Bryant (3) reacts after a 3-point basket in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen battles for the ball between Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and forward Pascal Siakam in the first half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
CHICAGO (AP) — Dallas Turner threw Tyson Bagent to the ground, then took off down the field in celebration. It rained on his parade, for sure, but that was just fine with him.
Turner had two of Minnesota's four sacks, including his takedown of Bagent on the final play, and the Vikings shut down Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears for a damp 9-3 victory on Sunday.
“I feel like, just preparing myself for these moments, ever since I was in college,” said Turner, a third-year linebacker who also had a sack during a 39-22 win over Green Bay in Week 1. “I feel like it’s very important, just keep on showing up every single day to execute at a high level.”
Isaiah Rodgers recovered a fumble and blocked a late field-goal attempt as Minnesota improved to 2-0 for the first time since it opened the 2024 season with five consecutive wins. Aaron Jones rushed for 105 yards and Will Reichard kicked three field goals, including a 39-yarder with 1:09 left.
The Vikings earned their seventh consecutive win at Soldier Field, matching the franchise record for consecutive road wins over a division opponent. They won seven straight at Detroit from 1968-74 and seven straight on the road against Green Bay from 1971-77.
“Defense was unreal. It was a gritty game, gritty game for the whole team,” Minnesota quarterback Carson Wentz said.
Williams left with a right hamstring injury midway through the fourth quarter, silencing a drenched crowd of 58,914. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was 15 for 26 for 138 yards, and he had five carries for 42 yards.
“We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said.
Johnson called the plays as Chicago (1-1) rolled to 291 yards rushing and 552 yards overall in a 59-37 victory at Carolina in Week 1. It was the highest-scoring season opener in NFL history.
But Johnson and the Bears were stymied by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his usual aggressive approach. Led by Turner and Blake Cashman, Minnesota limited Chicago to 297 total yards. Cashman had 10 tackles and a sack, and Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted an ill-advised throw by Williams in the first quarter.
“I really loved the game plan from the time Flo and I sat down on Tuesday, and just kind of the way him and the staff wanted to attack, wanted to make sure that we were just playing really good sound defense," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said.
Williams got hurt on a scramble deep in Minnesota territory. The third-year quarterback, who passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more in the opener, was helped off the field.
Tyson Bagent came in and passed to D’Andre Swift for 1 yard before throwing an incomplete pass on third down. Johnson then sent Cairo Santos on for a 23-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Rodgers.
After Wentz drove Minnesota to Reichard’s third field goal, Chicago had one last opportunity. Bagent found Rome Odunze for 21 yards and Luther Burden for 8 to move the ball to the Vikings 12.
Following a pair of incompletions, Bagent was wrapped up by Turner on the final play.
“Man, D.T. just keeps showing up,” O'Connell said.
Wentz was 11 for 20 for 143 yards, and Justin Jefferson had three receptions for 55 yards. Wentz got the start with Kyler Murray working his way through the NFL concussion protocol.
“It’s been an interesting offseason for me personally and everything, but I knew I was here for a reason,” Wentz said. “I knew if called upon, I could help this team win games.”
Trailing 6-3, Williams drove Chicago to first-and-goal on the 1 on the first drive of the second half. But Swift fumbled on a hit by Jalen Redmond and Rodgers recovered for Minnesota (2-0).
“Even at the end we had a chance to win the game,” Swift said. “If I don’t give the ball up and we get points right there it might be a different outcome for us. I’ll be better.”
The teams exchanged field goals on the opening drives of the game. Jefferson’s 30-yard reception helped set up Reichard’s 35-yarder, and Williams’ 19-yard run was the big play in Chicago’s drive to Santos’ 50-yard field goal.
Vikings: DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins suffered a right hip injury. ... Cashman left with 10:35 left in the third but he returned. ... O'Connell said he thinks Murray will clear concussion protocol early this week.
Bears: CB Tyrique Stevenson had a hamstring injury.
Vikings: At the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday.
Bears: Host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 28.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) gestures after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) lies on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, right, celebrates after recovering a fumble by the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) smiles after recovering a fumble by the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
