Donovan Mitchell (left) speaks with Evan Mobley during a stoppage in play during Game 4 against Boston.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell will likely be out of the lineup as the team looks to avoid elimination in tonight's Game 5 against the Boston Celtics (7ET, TNT).
According to Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Mitchell is not expected to play as he continues to suffer from left calf tightness.
Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell is expected to miss tonight's potential elimination Game 5 vs. Boston, sources said. @Joe Bardon. Mitchell is suffering from a calf strain. pic.twitter.com/mdp5As2FVI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 15, 2024
The All-Star guard missed Game 4 on Monday night with a calf injury, but was useless as the Cavaliers wrestled hard up front. Lost to the Boston Celtics 109-102won the East semifinal series 3-1.
Mitchell, who had been dealing with a left knee injury since the All-Star break, suffered the injury in the closing minutes of Cleveland's Game 3 loss on Saturday. He had been receiving round-the-clock treatment for his calf for the past two days, but was unable to go.
Official injury report Wednesday morning Was Mitchell listed as questionable as the Cavaliers try to survive an injury-plagued season?
Even without Mitchell and starting center Jarrett Allen, who missed seven straight games with a rib injury, Cleveland pushed the top-seeded Celtics to the limit in Game 4. The Cavs were up by five points with two minutes left, but Max Strus missed a 3-pointer and Cleveland couldn't get a defensive stop.
“They are a resilient, connected group year-round.” said coach JB Bickerstaff. “We've been through a lot with this group, but our group has never fallen apart when players had a chance or when the team needed them to step up. There wasn't.
“They've always stepped up and given us opportunities, and I think they did a great job of that tonight.”
In Cleveland's second postseason appearance, Mitchell was everything to the Cavs. He entered Monday's game averaging 29.6 points in those playoffs, setting up an interesting summer for him and the Cavs.
He is eligible to sign a contract extension, but has shown no desire to remain in Cleveland or leave.
Allen has not played since getting injured in Cleveland's first-round series against the Orlando Magic. Before his injury, he averaged an impressive 17 points and 13.8 rebounds. He grabbed 20 rebounds in the Cavs' Game 2 win over the Magic.
Mitchell did not participate in the team's morning shootaround before Game 4, opting to attend more treatment and film work.
He arrived at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse just before 5 p.m., two hours before opening tip, knowing by then that he wouldn't be able to play.
Darius Garland thrived in Mitchell's absence, scoring 30 points and adding seven assists in 40 minutes.
“He carried the load for us,” Bickerstaff said. “He put pressure on them offensively and made them make some tough decisions, but I thought he made the right plays. He did a great job of inspiring and energizing us. I thought you gave it to me.”
The Cavs attempted 48 3-pointers, a team playoff record, and may have to follow that formula again if Mitchell is sidelined.
“Same aggression, same attitude.” When asked what it would take to win Game 5, Garland said: And just keep running aggressively towards the rim. ”
Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert each added 19 points for the Cavs, who were upset that they only attempted seven free throws compared to Boston's 24.
“I'm not going to go into that, but it's ridiculous considering the number of drives we have,” Garland said. “The amount of paint attacks. You only get seven free throws out of 24 in a basketball game, I don't know. I'm not one of the umpires.
“I'm not a striped shirt guy, but I know how many times I get hit. No matter how many times a teammate gets hit or falls to the floor, I can't hit them back. I know it's tough.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
