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Cavs injury news: Donovan Mitchell misses second half of Game 4 vs. Pacers
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- Cavs injury news: Donovan Mitchell misses second half of Game 4 vs. Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS — When the second half of Game 4 between the Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers began, All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was not on the court or bench at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
About midway through the third quarter, the Cavs announced Mitchell suffered a left ankle injury and was doubtful to return. He never came back, and the Cavs lost in a 129-109 blowout on Sunday, May 11.
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Afterward, Cavs coach Kenny Aktinson said Mitchell would undergo an MRI on Monday, May 12. Mitchell did not wear a walking boot as he walked in a hallway near Cleveland 's locker room after the game. Mitchell did not conduct a postgame news conference, but he told Cleveland.com and The Athletic he expects to be ready for Game 5 on Tuesday, May 13, in Cleveland.
"Hopefully we get Donovan back," Atkinson said.
The Cavs trailed the Pacers 80-39 at halftime of Game 4. The 41-point halftime differential tied for the largest in NBA playoff history, according to ESPN.
Amid the first-half blowout, Mitchell scored a team-high 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting from the field, including 1 of 5 on 3-pointers. He had one rebound, one steal and one blocked shot in 20 minutes.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends during Game 4 of a second-round playoff series May 11, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mitchell had been pushing through a calf strain during the playoffs.
"We talked to him a little bit [after Game 4]," Cavs All-Star forward Evan Mobley said. "But right now, we've just got to focus on us and focus on who we have. Hopefully he's good [and] he'll be good for Game 5."
The Cavs face a 3-1 series deficit in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pacers.
Mitchell had been dominating in Round 2 before the ankle injury struck. He scored 33 points in Game 1, 48 in Game 2 and 43 in Game 3. Missing him for any length of time is a blow to the Cavs.
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"It's tough for sure," Cavs small forward Isaac Okoro said. "Donovan's our leader. He's the head of the snake for us, so it's always tough to see him go down. But we know he's still our leader, we know he's tough and we'll see."
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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Why Cavs' Donovan Mitchell missed second half of Game 4 vs Pacers
