CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell, the star guard of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is set to return to the lineup for the crucial Game 5 of the second-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Despite re-aggravating a sprained left ankle during a previous game, Mitchell intends to play, knowing that the Cavaliers must win to keep their championship hopes alive.
The Pacers currently lead the series 3-1 and can advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season with a victory on Tuesday night in Cleveland, where they have already secured two wins.
Coach Kenny Atkinson expressed cautious optimism about Mitchell’s participation, highlighting that the All-Star completed his usual pregame shooting routine and participated in the morning shootaround. “We know the situation we’re in,” Atkinson said in a pregame availability. “My hope is that he plays.”
Mitchell hinted at his readiness earlier in the day via social media, engaging with fans using the Cavaliers’ hashtag #LetEmKnow. He underwent an MRI the previous day, which reaffirmed his ankle sprain. The injury had previously sidelined him for the second half of the Cavaliers’ 129-109 defeat in Game 4, where he struggled during warm-ups.
This ankle issue is not new for Mitchell, having sustained the injury initially on April 6 when he inadvertently stepped on an opponent’s foot. He missed the last four games of the regular season due to this injury and faced challenges in his brief return during the playoffs.
As he takes on this critical game, the hope is not only for Mitchell’s health but also for the Cavaliers to harness the momentum from their home crowd and extend the series. If Mitchell can perform at a high level, the Cavaliers may still find a way to turn the tide against a formidable Pacers team.