Donovan Mitchell, a key player for Cleveland, had to watch from the sidelines in casual clothes during a crucial game for the team. In some ways, it seemed fitting, as the Cavaliers have been dealing with injuries for quite some time.
The star guard was sidelined for Game 4 on Monday due to a strained left calf. Despite the Cavaliers’ strong efforts, they lost 109-102 to the Boston Celtics, who now lead the East semifinal series 3-1.
Mitchell, who has been coping with a left knee injury since the All-Star break, got hurt in the closing minutes of Cleveland’s previous loss in Game 3. Despite receiving constant treatment for his calf in the past two days, he was unable to play.
It remains uncertain if he will be able to play in Game 5 on Wednesday night in Boston as the Cavaliers aim to extend their season, which has been marked by injuries.
Even without Mitchell and starting center Jarrett Allen, who has been out for seven games due to a rib injury, Cleveland put up a strong fight against the top-seeded Celtics.
The Cavaliers managed to stay close, trailing by only five points in the final two minutes. However, they couldn’t capitalize on a missed 3-pointer by Max Strus and failed to make a defensive stop.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised the team’s resilience, highlighting their ability to step up despite facing numerous challenges throughout the season.
“They’ve always risen to the occasion and given us a chance, and I thought they did a great job of that tonight,” said Coach Bickerstaff. Mitchell has been a key player for the Cavs in his second postseason with the team.
He entered Monday’s game averaging 29.6 points in the playoffs, setting the stage for an interesting summer for both him and the Cavs. He is eligible to sign a contract extension but has not indicated whether he plans to stay in Cleveland or explore other options.
Allen has been sidelined since injuring himself in the first-round series against the Orlando Magic. Before his injury, he was performing exceptionally well, averaging 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds. In the Cavs’ Game 2 victory over the Magic, he secured 20 rebounds.
Mitchell opted for additional treatment and film study instead of participating in the team’s morning shootaround. He arrived at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse just before 5 p.m., two hours before the game started, already aware that he would not be able to play.
