Donovan Mitchell was sidelined on Monday against the Indiana Pacers, but that didn’t stop him from going all out with the support. As the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a 108-103 victory, Mitchell couldn’t help but put out a one-word tweet in celebration of his team.
“CAVALANCHE!!” Mitchell posted on his official X (Twitter) account.
Cavalanche indeed. Despite the absence of Mitchell, Max Strus and Evan Mobley, the short-handed Cavs managed to win behind 23 points apiece from Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen. In addition, Cleveland received a boost off the bench from the newly acquired Marcus Morris Sr., who added 14 points.
Midway through the second quarter, the Pacers led by 15 at one point, seemingly on the verge of breaking away for good. However, the Cavs would not relent, rallying on an 11-0 run to keep the game close by halftime.
For most of the second half, Cleveland held on to the lead. Indiana managed to tie the game at 103 all with 02:05 remaining, but late-game baskets by LeVert and Isaac Okoro sealed the deal for the Cavs.
Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs deal with injuries
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As for the team’s franchise player, there’s a chance that “Spida” could return for the next game, based on his day-to-day status. However, it looks like the Cavs are being cautious. Mitchell is still bothered by the knee injury that kept him out for seven games early this month.
All the injuries seem to be affecting the team as of late. In the Cavs last 10 games, they’ve only won five. Strus and Mobley just missed their eighth and seventh straight games, respectively.
While Darius Garland, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen have been the offensive focal points as of late, the team will need their hurt players come the playoffs. One takeaway from all of this, however, is how the Cavs still hold the third seed in the Eastern Conference despite the recent setbacks. In other words, the team is capable of being a top contender when healthy.
A Mitchell-Garland backcourt and a Mobley-Allen frontline with Strus to spread the floor? While LeVert, Morris, Isaac Okoro, Tristan Thompson and Georges Niang are all options off the bench? Sounds like a recipe for a deep postseason run.