Cleveland Cavaliers Playoff Collapse Complete, Lose to Pacers in Game 5

Mitchell, despite playing through a left ankle injury which kept him out of the second half of Sunday's contest, led all players with 35 points. Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, who had been largely absent over the past two games since his series-defining three-pointer in Game 2, led the Pacers with 31 points and eight assists.

The Cavaliers' early exit is a bitter pill to swallow for Cleveland fans after the team's 64-win season. The top seed in the East began the playoffs with a convincing sweep of the Miami Heat in the first round, but couldn't overcome injuries and a confident Pacers squad in the semifinals.

Cavs fans will have to endure a long offseason after the team failed to meet its lofty playoff aspirations. Despite this setback, Cleveland is expected to retain its core players, which should keep expectations high for the upcoming season.

The Cavaliers should be optimistic about their growth prospects under the guidance of head coach Kenny Atkinson, who earned both the NBCA Coach of the Year Award and NBA Coach of the Year honors in his first season with the team. Atkinson’s tenure in Cleveland began with a remarkable 15-game winning streak, which set the tone for the year. Although they ultimately fell short against the Indiana Pacers, the future remains bright for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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