UPDATE: Donovan Mitchell is available and will play Game 5, per ESPN’s Jamal Collier.
With the Cleveland Cavaliers facing elimination in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, star guard Donovan Mitchell’s status may be in question for Tuesday’s contest due to an injury.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Mitchell is expected to be a game-time decision for Game 5 after undergoing an MRI, which showed reaggravation of a previous ankle injury. As of Monday afternoon, the star officially carries a questionable designation.
There’s never a good time for an injury, but with the Cavaliers staring down a 3-1 deficit to the Indiana Pacers, Mitchell’s ailment is a massive factor in the outcome of this series — and Cleveland’s season.
The six-time All-Star has played a gargantuan role during the second round of the playoffs. Mitchell’s averages in this series against Indiana sit at 34.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per contest through a four-game sample. While key teammates Darius Garland and Evan Mobley missed the first two games, Mitchell worked to carry the load with 33 and 48-point performances in the losses. In Game 3, he delivered a heroic 43-point effort in the Cavs’ lone win of the series.
In Game 4, Mitchell played just 20 minutes before tweaking his ankle and missing the rest of the contest. He tallied just 12 points as the Cavaliers went on to lose, 129-109.
With such high stakes against the brink of elimination, one would assume the star would try and suit up for an elimination game. Per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, Mitchell told the outlet after the Game 4 loss, “I will be good for Tuesday. You know me. I will see you Tuesday.”
Still, Mitchell’s status will be one to monitor in the lead-up to Game 5’s tip-off at 7 p.m. EST on Tuesday night.
