Ahead of facing the Toronto Raptors in Game 7, Cleveland Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell reflected on his career in the postseason. Mitchell will look to lead the Cavs to the second round with eyes on making his first deep playoff run. He’s never made reached the conference finals, coming up short during his days with the Utah Jazz, and since joining Cleveland in 2022.
Mitchell admits that never playing beyond the second round of the playoffs has weighed down on him over the years, he said, per The Athletic’s Mirin Fader.
“As great and as much as I have done in the league, I still think there’s a narrative of like, oh, you know, I haven’t made it out — well, it’s not a narrative, it’s a fact — I haven’t made it out of the second round, right? And there is, you know, is he good enough? Is he this or that? Determination Over Negativity still applies to this day,” Mitchell said.
“Still trying to fight, still trying to find a way,” he continues, “and not letting the noise dictate my every day.”
For many stars, their careers are often defined by winning a championship. And while Mitchell is still trying to reach the NBA’s final four, 2026 is arguably his best chance yet, alongside All-Star James Harden and Evan Mobley.
Kenny Atkinson on final shot in Cavs’ Game 6 loss in OT
David Richard-Imagn Images
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson discussed his team’s final shot in Game 6’s 112-110 loss to the Raptors.
“We were looking for Donovan [Mitchell] to come off the curl screen. We’ve run it before and it was really a two or a three option,” Atkinson said. “Not a great look — decent look from Evan.”
The Cavs will host the Raptors in Game 7 on Sunday.