Donovan Mitchell paused during his interview to adjust the wireless microphone attached to his practice jersey. The All-Star guard wanted to ensure everyone could hear him. He jokingly mentioned that his mom often reminds him to speak louder.
Mitchell recognizes the need to increase his performance both on and off the court. Lately, he hasn’t been as vocal or impactful as he’d like to be.
With Game 5 against the Orlando Magic approaching, Mitchell emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for his performance. He understands that his actions will set the tone for the team.
Although the series is currently tied, Mitchell’s performance has been inconsistent. While he scored 30 and 23 points in Games 1 and 2, respectively, his performance dropped in Orlando. In Game 3, he only managed to score 13 points, contributing to the Cavs’ 121-83 loss, their worst playoff defeat in history.
Despite starting strong in Game 4 and scoring 18 points in the first half, Mitchell and the Cavs faced challenges maintaining their lead.
He looked determined at first, but that determination faded by halftime.
Mitchell, who’s been dealing with a troublesome left knee, didn’t score any points and only took four shots in the second half. The Cavs struggled in the third quarter, getting outscored 37-10, leading to a 112-89 win for the Magic.
After analyzing what went wrong for two days, Mitchell identified a simple solution.
“I can’t afford to take only four shots in the second half,” he admitted. “I’ve said it after Game 1, that’s not how I play. Taking 14 and 16 shots in consecutive games shows my level of aggression. And I didn’t have that.”
Mitchell takes responsibility for his performance and promises to improve.
Since Game 1, Mitchell has been averaging 18 points on 20-of-52 shooting (38%), including an unusually low 4 of 20 on 3-pointers. He’s also racked up 20 assists but has committed 15 turnovers and faces tough defense from Orlando guard Jalen Suggs.
Mitchell denies that his knee is causing problems, but it’s clear he’s not playing at his usual level.
Apart from the first game, he hasn’t displayed his usual speed. His signature moves, like the crossover and step-back 3-pointer, haven’t been as effective, and it seems like he’s trying to conserve his energy.
