Cavs' Hopes Rest on Mitchell's Ankle

All-Star is 'questionable' for Game 5, with team needing 3-pt prowess to survive series

- 

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Cavaliers' season and any chance they have at pulling off an epic comeback rest squarely on Donovan Mitchell's sprained left ankle.

The six-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star and face of the franchise aggravated an existing injury on May 11 while warming up at halftime of a 129-109 blowout loss to the host Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Mitchell underwent an MRI on his ankle on May 12, but the Cavaliers did not disclose details. They later listed him as questionable on the official NBA injury report for Game 5.

Fourth-seeded Indiana lead the series 3-1 and can eliminate the top-seeded Cavaliers in their building on May 13 (May 14, Singapore time). The Pacers have won all four of their games in Cleveland during the 2024-25 regular season and playoffs.

"It's not the where, it's the how," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said on May 12, after practice in Indianapolis. "We have a very good idea what kind of environment it's going to be tomorrow with the desperation.

"Maintaining the edge is the challenge. The emotions are high, but you have to maintain an even temperament the best you can."