Star guard’s ankle issue clouds Cleveland’s hopes as Pacers take commanding 3–1 series lead
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t just lose Game 4 — they may have lost their season. After being blown off the floor by the Indiana Pacers in a 129–109 defeat that put them in a 3–1 hole in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the real gut punch came in the form of an injury update. Donovan Mitchell, their All-Star guard and postseason talisman, twisted his ankle and didn’t return after halftime. Now, with Game 5 looming, his status is uncertain — and the Cavs’ playoff dreams are hanging by a thread.
A nightmare night in Indiana
It was a night Cleveland fans would like to forget, and fast. Game 4 started poorly and only got worse as the Pacers surged out to an 80–39 lead by halftime — a margin that tied the largest halftime deficit in NBA playoff history. But as painful as the scoreboard was, watching Mitchell hobble off and fail to return was even more distressing for a team that has leaned heavily on him all postseason long.
Mitchell had been sensational through the first three games of the series, averaging an eye-popping 41.3 points per game and routinely dragging Cleveland into contention with sheer willpower and elite shot-making. Without him, the Cavaliers lacked direction, firepower, and composure — and it showed.
Mitchell attempted to warm up ahead of the third quarter, but his body language said it all. He was clearly uncomfortable and eventually retreated to the locker room for the remainder of the night, not even returning to sit on the bench as the Cavs were buried under a relentless Pacers offensive barrage.
An MRI and a massive question mark
Speaking after the loss, interim head coach Kenny Atkinson was candid about the uncertainty surrounding his star’s injury. “We’re going to get an MRI on Monday,” Atkinson said. “Honestly, I have no idea where things stand for Game 5.”
That game, set for Wednesday back in Cleveland, could be the final one of the Cavs’ rollercoaster season. And without Mitchell in the lineup, pulling off even a single win feels like a tall order — let alone mounting the kind of comeback required to turn this series around.
Injuries piling up at the worst time
Mitchell’s status is just the latest chapter in what’s been a brutal stretch of injuries for the Cavaliers during this series. Game 1 saw them go in shorthanded, missing Darius Garland. Game 2 was even worse — Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter were all sidelined, and Cleveland stumbled to another defeat.
Only in Game 3 did the Cavs field a full-strength lineup, and it showed. They played with rhythm, balance, and purpose, finally snagging their first (and so far only) win of the series. But now, with Mitchell potentially out, it’s back to square one.
To make matters worse, Garland is still not at 100%, Mobley continues to battle through lingering soreness, and the bench unit has been inconsistent at best. For a team that won 64 games in the regular season and looked like a dark horse title contender just a few weeks ago, things have unraveled at an alarming rate.
The weight on Mitchell shoulders
The injury to Mitchell hits harder than most, not just because of his production, but because of what he represents to this Cavs team. In the postseason spotlight, he’s been the engine, the spark, and the steadying presence. Whether hitting deep threes, slashing to the rim, or rallying the crowd with clutch plays, Mitchell has been at the heart of everything good about Cleveland’s playoff run.
He poured in 45 points in Game 1, 38 in Game 2, and 41 in Game 3 — numbers that barely begin to describe how much he’s carried the load. Without him, the Cavs’ offense has looked stagnant, predictable, and unconvincing. They need him healthy. They need him on the floor. But more than anything, they need him at his best — and that feels like a big ask on a damaged ankle in a win-or-go-home situation.
Game 5: Hope or heartbreak?
Game 5 now looms as the ultimate test. Back in front of their home crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Cavaliers will have to dig deep. If Mitchell can suit up and be anything close to himself, there’s a chance they can steal some momentum. But even that may not be enough.
Winning three straight games, including another in Indiana, would require near-perfect execution and a level of resilience that this injury-hit roster has yet to show consistently. The supporting cast — Garland, Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert — will need to rise to the occasion in ways they haven’t so far in the series.
And if Mitchell can’t go? The Cavaliers will be looking for answers, fast. Atkinson and his staff may have to get creative, possibly turning to role players like Sam Merrill or Isaac Okoro for more minutes. But replacing Mitchell’s impact isn’t a one-man job — it’s a collective effort, and it starts with belief.
What’s next for Cleveland?
No matter what happens in Game 5, this postseason has underscored one thing: the Cavs are still a work in progress. The talent is there, the regular-season dominance was real, and the core of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Allen remains promising. But to be a true contender, durability, depth, and adaptability are essential — and this series has exposed just how fragile the balance is.
If Mitchell’s MRI brings bad news, the conversation may quickly shift to the offseason — to questions about health, roster construction, and how to build a squad that can weather storms like this. But for now, there’s still one more battle to fight.
Game 5 isn’t just a game. It’s a gut check, a character test, and maybe — just maybe — the start of an unforgettable comeback story.
