You know what stings the most during the final stretch of the regular season? Losing players when it matters most. And right now, the Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell are in that exact spot. They’re just one win—or a Celtics L—away from clinching the East’s top seed, but instead of prepping for a deep playoff run, they’ve run headfirst into injury trouble. Only four games left, and instead of building rhythm, they’re stuck juggling health concerns.
Mitchell’s ankle scare on Sunday didn’t seem like a big deal at first—he even came back, dropped 19, and finished the game. But now? The Cavs are hitting the brakes.
They’re sitting him for Tuesday night’s clash against the Bulls, calling it a left ankle sprain. Spida took a nasty spill early in the third quarter during Sunday’s 120–113 loss to the Kings. While hustling back on defense, he collided with Keon Ellis, hit the floor, and limped straight to the locker room.
Apr 12, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and forward Evan Mobley (4) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
After the game, the 5x All-Star made it clear—he’s chasing that No. 1 seed. “I want to get the No. 1 seed,” he said. “If I’m able to go, I’m able to go.” He admitted the pain kicked in once the adrenaline wore off. But he stayed focused on helping the team however he could. “I’m trying to win. Just trying to bring energy,” he added. “If I’m out there, I can’t have the kind of mistakes I made.”
Now in year three with the Cavs, Mitchell’s been nothing short of elite. He’s a sure-shot candidate for First-Team All-NBA and just earned his sixth straight All-Star nod. The guy’s putting up 24 points, 5 dimes, and 4.5 boards a night.
But here’s the thing—Mitchell can’t carry the load alone. That brings us to Darius Garland. Sunday’s performance? Not it. He went 4-of-13 from the field and just 1-of-7 from deep. Those kinds of numbers could bury Cleveland in the playoffs. The good news? He’s healthy and suiting up against the Bulls. So, keep your eyes on him—because they’ll need every bucket.
But even if Garland bounces back, none of it matters without Mitchell. And that’s where things start to get dicey.
Cavs’ deep playoff run depends on Donovan Mitchell
Let’s not pretend this is something new—Mitchell battling late-season injuries has been part of Cleveland’s story before.
Remember last year? His knee gave out at the worst time, sidelining him for the Cavs’ final playoff games. The Celtics sent them packing in five, and Mitchell’s absence loomed large. That loss? Still leaves a bitter taste. It’s exactly what the Cavs were desperate to avoid in 2025.
So they got proactive. Kenny Atkinson and the medical staff mapped out a full season plan to protect him—minutes down, offense restructured. They leaned more on Garland and Mobley, and it worked. Mitchell made it through most of the year in one piece, and Cleveland looked ready for a deep playoff run.
But now? That left ankle sprain changes everything.
Mar 16, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket beside Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) in the third quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Mitchell isn’t just a scorer. He’s the spark, the closer, the emotional heartbeat. The Cavs’ playoff future? It rides on his health. And because he’ll always try to play through pain, Atkinson has to make the tough call and sit him. Not just for one game, but until he’s truly ready.
The goal shouldn’t be to flex against the Bulls—it’s to stay alive in May and June.
Cleveland’s title hopes don’t start with the No. 1 seed. They start with Donovan Mitchell being 100%. The team’s got 14 days to get him there. If that ankle responds, they’re a real threat.
But if it doesn’t? Everything they’ve built could fall apart faster than a Jenga tower in a toddler’s hands.
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