Donovan Mitchell missed the second half of the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109 Recreation 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers after what the group introduced as a left ankle harm. It was a intestine punch to what was an embarrassing loss for the top-seeded Cavaliers. After the sport, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson had “no concept” what Mitchell’s standing can be for Recreation 5, however after present process an MRI on Monday the place he was identified with a reaggravation of an ankle harm, Mitchell is anticipated to be a “game-time determination,” per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

That is an enormous sigh of reduction for Cleveland, as Mitchell has been the lone shiny spot for the Cavaliers of their first three playoff video games in opposition to the Pacers. Mitchell was averaging 41.3 factors per sport within the second spherical heading into Recreation 4. Coming into Sunday, his dominance was their solely constant power in opposition to an Indiana group that’s peaking on the good time. However then, the whole lot fell aside for the Cavs.

The Pacers shellacked the Cavaliers. They had been up 80-39 at halftime (that 41-point hole is tied for the most important halftime lead in playoff historical past), and went on to win by 20. Mitchell’s harm at halftime was simply the cherry on prime of what was a disastrous sport. The harm occurred when he tried to get some pictures up throughout halftime, however did not look snug. He finally was not on the courtroom and even on the Cavs’ bench when the second half started.

Here is a have a look at how the harm occurred:

Luckily it feels like Mitchell’s harm is not something critical, however the truth that he now has to cope with a nagging ankle harm provides to the issues plaguing the Cavs. With Mitchell’s availability unsure, we are able to say that Cleveland is probably going not successful this collection if Mitchell has to overlook video games. Cleveland might want to win three consecutive video games, together with one in Indiana, to achieve the Japanese Convention finals. Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter are all taking part in by means of accidents and missed Recreation 2. This group was already working at significantly lower than full power, however Mitchell was so good he was preserving them within the combine. 

With out him? This 64-win season might be coming to an finish.