Don’t expect Donovan Mitchell to suit up when the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday.
Mitchell himself shared as much after he revealed his nagging knee injury following Saturday’s loss to the Houston Rockets.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell Struggles vs. Houston Rockets
Mitchell recently missed seven games due to a left knee bone bruise, and he only returned last Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The showdown with the Rockets was his second game after his lengthy absence, and sure enough, it’s clear he still isn’t back to his old self.
Against the Pelicans, Mitchell scored just 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the field. He did make four triples out of nine attempts, but his explosiveness in attacking the rim was lacking.
It was the same issue for the Cavs superstar in their latest meeting on Saturday. He finished with 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting, primarily highlighted by his 3-of-8 tally from deep.
Unlike the meeting with the Pelicans where they won, however, the Cavaliers weren’t as lucky in the Rockets showdown. Houston took advantage of the crippled Cleveland offense in order to take the 117-103 win.
Only Caris LeVert scored more than 20 for the Cavs with 21, while all other members of the team finished with less than 15 each.
Donovan Mitchell Admits Injury Issues With Cleveland Cavaliers
Speaking to reporters following the game, Donovan Mitchell shared that the knee injury that has kept him our and even required him to get a PRP injection continues to bother him.
Mitchell expressed disappointment over his health ordeal before noting that he expects to be sidelined on Monday against the Indiana Pacers in order to give his body some more time to rest and heal.
“No disrespect but I’m not really blowing by people right now and that’s disappointing to me, that’s affecting me,” Mitchell shared, via Cleveland reporter Serena Winters.
“I’m probably not playing next game to be completely honest with you. Kinda just take some rest and get it right. I thought I was ready but I’m not and it sucks and I want to be out there but it’s clear as day, even to myself, I can’t fool myself…I’ll get it right and be ready when the time comes.”
That’s certainly bad news for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are already without young big man Evan Mobley. Hopefully, though, Mitchell won’t take long to heal, especially as the Cavs aim to keep their position in the Eastern Conference standings.
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