Donovan Mitchell injury update: NBA insider reveals new details on Cavaliers star ahead of Game 5 vs. Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers could have one of their best years in franchise history end in the second round of the playoffs, facing a 3-1 deficit against the Indiana Pacers. Donovan Mitchell is now the latest star to be questionable ahead of tomorrow’s Game 5.

ESPN’s Shams Charania shared the latest on Mitchell, who didn’t return after halftime in the 129-109 loss in Game 4 with an ankle injury. He reported that Mitchell re-aggravated something with his left ankle based on testing done this morning. Now, Mitchell is likely a game-time decision for Tuesday’s Game 5 back in Cleveland.

“Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ All-NBA star guard? I’m told he had an MRI today. He’s been diagnosed, essentially, with a re-aggravation of an ankle injury that he’s been dealing with,” said Charania. “He re-aggravated his ankle and I’m told that it’s expected that he’s going to be a game-time decision for Game 5.”

“Well, I mean, the way he looks right there? It looks like he’s in extreme discomfort,” Charania said of the footage of Mitchell trying to warm up before the third quarter.

Mitchell is likely to earn the second All-NBA selection of his career as the best player for the Cavaliers, with Cleveland earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. He has averaged 24 points (44.3% FG, 36.8% 3PT on 3.3 makes), 5.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game this season.

However, Charania, with credit to the Pacers, noted the impact that the injury report has had on Cleveland’s deficit in these semis. Darius Garland missed the last two games of the first round against the Miami Heat, as well as the first two games of this series with a sprained left big toe. Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter also missed Game 2 with a sprained right ankle and sprained right thumb, respectively. That’s two All-Stars, one being the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, and their sixth man, missing the first two games against Indiana, who won both.

Cleveland had a full lineup for Game 3 as they won their first game of the series on Friday at 126-104. Then, in the blowout down as much as 44 on Sunday to go down 3-1, Mitchell exited Game 4 and possibly could miss Game 5.

“Listen, shoutout to the Pacers. They’re taking advantage of the situation,” said Charania. “That’s what a lot of the playoffs is about is matchups, injuries, do you make the right game plan adjustments? For sure, give them their credit. Back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals, potentially. That’s a big f-ing deal. But, you also have to make the point, like, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, De’Andre Hunter? This is a Cavaliers team that has been absolutely ravaged by injuries at the worst possible time.”

Mitchell could be the next Cavalier to miss a game depending on his status for the must-win matchup tomorrow. That’d be a disappointing end to this season for Cleveland, especially if their star isn’t able to even take the floor and help them avoid elimination in the NBA Playoffs.