The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves backed against the wall as their promising season teeters on the brink of collapse.
Sunday’s crushing defeat to the Indiana Pacers has left the team facing elimination, now down 3-1 in their second-round playoff series.
Adding to their mounting troubles, star guard Donovan Mitchell left the game with an ankle injury and remained sidelined throughout the second half.
Mitchell underwent an MRI on Monday to assess the damage. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports this injury appears to be a flare-up of a previous ankle issue.
With their season hanging in the balance, Mitchell’s status has been designated as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s do-or-die Game 5 in Cleveland.
“Donovan Mitchell is expected to be a ‘game-time decision’ for Game 5 against the Pacers after reaggravating his ankle, per Shams Charania. The Cavaliers trail 3-1 as the series shifts back to Cleveland on Tuesday,” Yahoo Sports shared.
Donovan Mitchell is expected to be a "game-time decision" for Game 5 against the Pacers after reaggravating his ankle, per @ShamsCharania.
The Cavaliers trail 3-1 as the series shifts back to Cleveland on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/NGDj0MWOlo
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 12, 2025
The injury apparently struck during an unexpected moment, as Mitchell seemed to hurt himself during halftime warmups of Game 4.
He never returned to action, dealing yet another blow to a Cleveland Cavaliers team already struggling with various injuries throughout this postseason run.
This wasn’t how things were supposed to unfold for a Cleveland squad that dominated the regular season with 64 wins.
Before exiting Game 4, Mitchell managed 12 points in the first half, but without their leader, the Cavaliers watched helplessly as the Pacers built a staggering 41-point advantage by halftime.
Mitchell had been Cleveland’s offensive anchor throughout the series, posting impressive scoring totals of 22, 48, and 43 points in the first three games.
The Cavaliers will look to extend their season when Game 5 tips off at Rocket Arena on Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m.
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