The Cavaliers challenged Donovan Mitchell to use his nickname “Spida” and carry the offensive burden in order to keep them close against the Celtics on Tuesday. Mitchell has flourished this season by striking a balance between scoring and creating plays, fostering growth among his teammates.
The Cavaliers will now need to figure out a way to win without him on Wednesday against the Pistons because his efforts didn’t work out as planned. Mitchell, who has a right shoulder injury, will miss the second game of a back-to-back.
When the Cavaliers attempted a late run in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, Mitchell drove hard to the basket before being struck in the shoulder.
In an attempt to motivate his team to win, the six-time All-Star persevered.
Despite playing 10 minutes and finishing the game with seven points on three of six shots, Mitchell was placed to the Cavaliers’ injury report at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday due to his prolonged push. He scored a game-high 31 points on 12 of 25 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds to end the game against Boston.
Earlier this season, Mitchell attempted to go through a screen set by former Wizard and Sacramento King Jonas Valanciunas, but he sustained another shoulder injury that took him to the locker room for a short while. His arm felt numb from the sting, which was like television static running through it.
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Cleveland will take precautions and sit Mitchell against the Pistons because Mitchell wants to be healthy going into the second half of the season and for the Cavaliers’ playoff run, and he also wants to join his teammates Darius Garland and Evan Mobley in celebrating the upcoming All-Star break.
Before the game, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson stated, “Shoulders are tricky.” “We don’t want this to be the case, and I’m always careful with shoulders. We just need to be smart, but I don’t think it will be anything long term.
Against the Pistons, Caris LeVert will start alongside Garland, Mobley, Max Strus, and Jarrett Allen in place of Mitchell.
This will be Mitchell’s third game missed this season, and his first injury-related absence. Due to planned rest, the remaining two contests were missed.
