Dunk specialist Johnny Furphy's fledgling NBA career hit a new high, but the Australian guard's Indiana outfit sank to a historic low after being overhauled by Cleveland.
The 120-116 loss on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT) was the Pacers' 13th in a row, setting a franchise record since entering the competition in 1976, with the home side now a league-worst 6-31 for the season.
But Furphy ensured he would still be part of any highlights reel with a spectacular running dunk in the first half that had his injured superstar teammate Tyrese Haliburton on his feet cheering.
Indiana, the defending Eastern Conference champions, looked poised to snap the win drought, up 93-84 heading into the final quarter.
But with Darius Garland leading the charge, the Cavaliers went ahead with 5:46 to play and the Pacers blew a number of scoring opportunities to regain the lead.
Playing his second NBA season and in just his fifth start, Furphy looked destined to bank his first double double, in reach of the mark midway through the third quarter.
He nailed the rebound measure for the first time in his career, tallying 11 to lead the Pacers, and was one shy of Cleveland centre Jarrett Allen's game-high 12.
But the 21-year-old Victorian couldn't find another basket, finishing with nine points from his 30 minutes on court.
Pascal Siakam led the home side's scoring with 22 points, while centre Jay Huff tipped in 20.
Furphy lit up Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the first quarter, firing a three-pointer and then intercepting a pass by De'Andre Hunter, before jamming the ball with his right hand off his fast break.
Indiana led 28-22 at quarter-time and maintained a seven-point buffer at halftime, with a decision by Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson to rest All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell looking questionable.
Garland stepped up in his absence with a game-high 29 points, with 14 coming in the final term.
In Memphis, Australian centre Jock Landale and the host Grizzlies had to contend with the return of towering superstar Victor Wembanyama's return for San Antonio after missing two games.
Wembanyama piled on 30 points, but Landale and the Grizzlies had the last laugh, snatching a 106-105 win.
Starter Landale finished with 19 points. nine rebounds and two assists.
His teammate Cam Spencer scored 21 points, including five in the final 1:26 and his 10-foot baseline jumper with 36.5 seconds left were the last points scored as the Grizzlies (16-20) snapped a four-game losing streak.
