CLEVELAND โ As the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for an important Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers in their second-round playoff series, star player Donovan Mitchell is currently questionable due to a reinjured left ankle. The All-Star guard underwent an MRI on Monday, which confirmed that his left ankle is sprained. Mitchell was unable to participate in the second half of the Cavaliersโ 129-109 defeat to Indiana after showing signs of discomfort during halftime warm-ups.
The decision about Mitchellโs participation in Tuesdayโs game is expected to be made close to tip-off. The injury first occurred on April 6 during a game against the Sacramento Kings. During that incident, Mitchell stepped on the foot of Sacramento player Keon Ellis near midcourt, losing balance and rolling his ankle. This injury caused him to miss the final four games of the regular season. In the game he did play, he scored 12 points over 20 minutes while the Cavaliers fell behind 80-39 by halftime.
The Pacers, holding a 3-1 lead in the series, have the opportunity to secure the series victory on Tuesday in Cleveland, a venue where they have already triumphed twice. Throughout the playoffs, Mitchell has maintained an impressive performance, averaging 28.9 points and scoring over 30 points in five different games.
The Cavaliers have struggled with injuries throughout the postseason. Notably, Darius Garland missed four games due to a left big toe injury, and key players such as DeโAndre Hunter (right thumb) and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley (left ankle) missed Game 2 against the Pacers after getting injured in the series opener. Mitchell himself was dealing with a calf strain prior to aggravating his ankle injury.
โWeโre all a bit banged up. Itโs challenging, but thatโs the nature of the playoffs,โ Mitchell commented after scoring an impressive 48 points during a close 120-119 loss for Cleveland last Tuesday.